June 21

Why do bad things happen to good people? That is a question heard throughout the world. Too often, we think of God as some cosmic vending machine. If I insert some quarters and press A2, the machine will give me some treat, perhaps a Snicker bar. But if I do some good deeds, perhaps some community service (inserting the quarters), the specific blessing I pray and hope for (the Snicker bar) may not be granted, at least not right away. One must trust in the Lord's timing. If a punishment was given immediately after one did a bad deed, and a reward was given immediately after one did a good deed, moral agency would be destroyed. God is not in the punishment business, but neither is He our vending machine that grants our wishes in our timing. Podcast 13 delves more into this important topic. Please listen and let me hear your thoughts.

June 29

Most of us are familiar with the three temptations Jesus resisted from Satan prior to His ministry (Matt 4).  The first temptation was to inappropriately use His powers to satisfy the needs of the flesh; i.e., to satiate His hunger.  The second temptation was to use inappropriately His powers for the glory of men.  The third temptation was to inappropriately use His powers for the riches and power of this world.  All men and women are likewise tempted to some degree for the needs of the flesh, to attain the glory of men, and to obtain power and riches.  The overarching temptation was to prove who He was: “if thou be the Son of God” was the message from the tempter.

Jesus was well acquainted with temptation during His mortal life.  Some have speculated whether Jesus could even be tempted, or if all temptations were easily shrugged off because of His nature.  We must remember that Jesus inherited mortal qualities from His mother, Mary.  As a mortal He could and was tempted just like any of us.  Paul writes: “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered” (Hebrews 5:8).  We also read that Jesus was “in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).  Peter also testified regarding Jesus: “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth” (1 Peter 2:22).  That would be the Savior’s test in life, to be sinless.  When we sin, we can turn to the Savior to be rescued.  The Savior would have no such relief valve.  He had to be sinless.

Lucifer knew that Jesus was chosen in premortality to save and redeem man.  He knew Jesus could only fulfill that mission if He committed no sin.  I am convinced that Jesus was subjected to constant temptations throughout His life.  It was much, much more than the three temptations in the wilderness.  During Christ’s mortality, Lucifer had his one and only chance to get revenge, to beat Jesus by having Him sin, and to get all of our souls in the process.  

In the King James version of the Bible, we then read: “Then the devil leaveth him, and behold, angels came and ministered unto him” (Matt 4:11).  The Prophet Joseph made a significant change to that verse which gives us an insight into the character of Jesus: “And now Jesus knew that John was cast into prison, and he sent angels, and behold they came and ministered unto him (John).”  Angels did not come to Jesus after those temptations to minister to Him although that would have been understandable. Unconcerned about His physical, mental, and spiritual needs, Jesus sent angels to minister to the Baptist.  Forgetting self and ministering to others was a character hallmark throughout His ministry, and highlights His majesty!