Walking on the Sea: Matthew 14:22–33

1. Review Matthew 14:22–33. Identify in writing what the reaction of the Apostles was when they first saw the Savior walking on the water toward them.

When the apostles saw the savior walking on water toward them,  they were afraid, they thought they were seeing a spirit.

2. What did Peter’s response indicate about him?

Peter responded to seeing the Savior walk on water by issuing a test whereby he could determine if it was indeed the Savior.  He asked the Lord, if it were really him, to invite him onto the water.  He showed through this question that he trusted Jesus.  He had faith that the Lord would not allow harm to come to him.

3. According to Matthew 14:30, why did Peter begin to sink?

Peter began to sink when he saw the wind blowing and started to fear and have doubts about what he was doing.

4. What did Peter do when he began to sink? What word in the verses describes the expediency or the timing when Jesus responded to Peter’s request?

When Peter began to sink he called to the Savior asking him to save him.  The verse tells us that Jesus immediately reached out and helped Peter.

5. Read Doctrine and Covenants 88:67. Write a paragraph describing what principle from this verse relates to what Peter did to successfully walk on the water. How can this same principle be applied to your life to assist you in walking over the storms of life?

The principle in Doctrine and Covenants 88:67 that applies to Peter walking on water is the idea of Faith. When Peter was completely focused on the Lord and did not let anything distract him he was fine.  When he let the influence of the storm enter into his thoughts he began to sink.  In our lives if we have unwavering Faith and focus on the gospel and our Savior we get weather any hardship or storm we encounter in our lives.

The Lord Often Taught with Parables: Matthew 13: 24-48

1.    In the Bible Dictionary read the first three paragraphs under the entry “Parables” (pgs. 740-41). In your own words, write a definition of a parable.

      The word parable means to a setting side by side, or a comparison. Parables are a way to compare divine truth with material things. Although parables were a common form of instruction, no teacher used them as exclusively as Jesus at one point in his ministry. The reason Jesus taught in parables was to veil the meaning of what he was teaching. The Bible Dictionary says, “The parable conveys to the hearer religious truth exactly in proportion to his faith and intelligence; to the dull and uninspired it is a mere story, ‘seeing they see not,’ while to the instructed and spiritual it reveals the mysteries or secrets of the kingdom of heaven. Thus it is that the parable exhibits the condition of all true knowledge. Only he who seeks finds.”

2.    Read the following parables: parable of the tares (Matthew 13:24-30); parables of the mustard seed and the leaven (Matthew 13:47-50); parables of the treasure and the pearl of great price (Matthew 13:44-46); parable of the gospel net (Matthew 13:47-50). Next to each of the following questions write the name of the parable that best answers that question.

o       What describes the future growth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? Parable of the leaven

o       Why does the Church send out so many missionaries? Parable of the gospel net

o       How do you explain the remarkable growth of the Church, considering that it is fairly new compared to most world religions and started small in the American frontier?  Parable of the mustard seed

​o       Why are some members of the Church willing to sacrifice so much worldly wealth and recognition in order to maintain membership in the Church?  Parable of the treasure and pearl of great price

o       Why do some Church members choose to leave the Church? Parable of the tares

3.    Write answers to the following questions:

o       Considering the parables of the treasure and the pearl of great price (see Matthew 13:44-46), what sacrifices would you be willing to make to obtain the treasure of the gospel? What sacrifices have you or those you know already made for the gospel?

I would hope that I would be willing to give up anything and everything for the gospel. I have not been faced with a real-life situation where I’d have to make this choice, but I think I would be willing to sacrifice whatever was necessary to obtain the treasure of the gospel. I’m definitely willing to sacrifice my time and talents and I’m willing to give up my sins and give them to the Lord. I know of people who have had to sacrifice relationships, jobs, and even their lives for the gospel. I think when we really know that the gospel is true, we should be willing to sacrifice whatever is necessary in order to obtain that treasure.

·   What does the net represent in the parable of the net cast into the sea? (See Matthew 13:47). What does it mean to be gathered into the net? What is represented by the action of gathering the good into vessels and casting the bad away? (See Matthew 13:48-50).

                        I think the net represents missionary work, gathering people into the gospel. Being     gathered by the net is like accepting the gospel and being baptized. It says that it’s like the end of the   world where angels will come forth and separate the wicked people from the good.

The Calling of the Twelve Apostles, Matthew 10; Mark 3:13-35; Luke 5:1-11

I looked up three of Jesus' Twelve Apostles in the Bible Dictionary and learned some things I did not know about them: 

James – Son of Zebedee was one of the inner circle of three chosen to be with the Lord on certain special occasions: at the raising of the daughter of Jairus, at the Transfiguration, and at Gethsemane.

Simon Peter – Another one of the three disciples present on certain special occasions. It is interesting that Peter means rock. Peter was one of the greatest of men. It was through Peter’s ministry that the gospel was first opened up to the Gentiles.

Andrew – Brother of Simon Peter. As a disciple of John the Baptist he met Jesus and then brought Peter to meet Jesus. He was one of the earliest called to be a disciple of Jesus Christ and was one of the Twelve.

I also found these verses which helped me better understand what it means to be an Apostle. 

Acts 4:33: "And with great power gave the apostles awitness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great bgrace was upon them all."

D&C 107:23: "The atwelve traveling councilors are called to be the Twelve bApostles, or special cwitnesses of the name of Christ in all the world—thus differing from other officers in the church in the duties of their calling."

The word apostle means “one sent forth”. The Twelve Apostles are special witnesses of Jesus Christ in all the world. They witness of the Lord’s resurrection.

In Matthew 10:5-42 the Savior prepared His disciples to proclaim the gospel. He taught them not to worry about what they would say because the Spirit would tell them. He warned them that they would be hated, but if they endured to the end they would be saved. The Savior also told them that they must love the Him and be loyal to Him above all else. He told them to devote their lives to Him and the ministry.

In Luke 5:1-11, the Savior calls Peter, James, and John. I love verse 11, which says that the Lord’s disciples, "forsook all, and followed him.” This is such a great example of how we should follow the Savior. Forsake all else, all worldy things, and follow Jesus Christ. I can apply this in my life by putting the Savior as the center of my life. That means obeying His commandments and striving to follow His perfect example. The Lord must be the absolute most important part of your life. The gospel  should be your first priority. 

The Baptism of Jesus Christ, Matthew 3:13–17

Why was John hesitant to baptize Jesus?

John was hesitant to baptize Jesus because he said that Jesus should be the one baptizing him. He did not feel worthy to baptize the Savior. (He mentioned earlier that he did not feel he was worthy to even buckle the latchets of the Lord’s shoes).

What is taught here about the Holy Ghost? 

We learn that the Holy Ghost comes when we have repented of our sins and are baptized. When are obedient to the Lord’s commandments, we are blessed with the Spirit. Verse 16 describes the Spirit of God “descending like a dove and lighting upon [Jesus]”. When Jesus was baptized, the sign of the dove was given to signify the truth of his baptism.

Jesus Christ said He must be baptized to “fulfill all righteousness.” What are some reasons why  Jesus Christ was baptized? (See 2 Nephi 31:6–11) 

• One reason that Jesus was baptized was to humble Himself before the Father. 
• Jesus was baptized to show Heavenly Father that He would obey all of the commandments. 
• He was baptized to set an example for us, so that we will also repent and be baptized.

What evidence is found in Matthew 3:16–17 that the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are three separate personages in the Godhead?

It is obvious that the Holy Ghost is a separate personage because he descended upon Jesus in the form of a dove. Then, Heavenly Father speaks from heaven and says that He is pleased with His Beloved Son.

* * * * *

As I was studying the Savior’s baptism, I found some other wonderful quotes and scriptures about baptism and the Holy Ghost that strengthened my personal testimony. I felt the Spirit testify to me of the importance of baptism and of the truthfulness of the things I read. I also felt my testimony of the Savior grow as my heart was filled with gratitude for His perfect example.  Here are some of the other references that stood out to me this week:

John 3:5 teaches that “except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”

2 Nephi 31:5 which says, “And now, if the Lamb of God, he being holy, should have need to be baptized by water, to fulfil all righteousness, O then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized, yea, even by water!”

2 Nephi 31:13, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism—yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel.”

2 Nephi 32:5, “For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do.”

“Our first birth takes place when we are born into mortality. Our second birth begins when we are baptized by water by one holding the priesthood of God and is completed when we are confirmed, and ‘then cometh a remission of [our] sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost.’” (President James E. Faust)

 “If the sinner will repent of his sins, and go down into the waters of baptism, and there be buried in the likeness of being put into the earth and buried, and again be delivered from the water, in the likeness of being born—if in the sincerity of his heart he will do this, his sins shall be washed away. Will the water of itself wash them away? No; but keeping the commandments of God will cleanse away the stain of sin.” (President Brigham Young)

The Bible Dictionary says, “Baptism is a most sacred ordinance, which a person, having received it, can remember throughout life as a reminder of the personal commitment to Jesus Christ. Its symbolism is beautiful, and its consequences ever so desirable. John the Baptist had the signal honor among all men to take the Son of God into the water and baptize Him, after which he saw the Holy Ghost descend upon Jesus. By being baptized Jesus obeyed the law Himself and set the example for all mankind.”