Condescension of the Lamb of God
May be traced to premortal life.
“In itelligence and performance, He far surpasses the individual and the composite capacities and achievements of all who have lived, live now and will yet live! Neal A Maxwell in CR Oct 1981, 9 ensign nov 1981, 8
Was motivated by the Savior’s love for all of mankind.
Satan had no love for others
- instead of being willing to condescended
- taught..
Isaiah 14:13-14
The Lord’s condescension in premortal life was the catalyst for our mortal experience which caused much great joy.
It was needed in order to rescue us from the effects of the Fall.
Joseph Fielding Smith Doctrines of Salvation.. the Writings of Joseph Fielding Smith, p51
God will stand by us forever, to see the right path, find the right choice, and respond to the true voice… Moroni 7:36.. in CR oct 1989, p21 or ensign nov 1989, 18
To descend voluntarily to the level, regarded as lower, of the person that one is dealing with. Webster’s dictonary on ‘condescend’
– his willingness to be born on a mortal life
– and to live and minister among His fellow beings.
JST luke 2:7
“These were not ordinary men…”
Bruce R – The mortal Messiah: From Bethlehem to Calvary Book I, p347
Now that he ascended, what is it but that the also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?”
Ephesians 4:9
Moses 7:36
- “wherefore, I can stretch forth mine hands and hold all the creations which I have made;…”
His condescension to live on this earth also provided for the people a manifestation of the power of God.
He condescended to deliver the keys to the leading apostle.
He condescends to allow mortals to hold priesthood authority.
The greatest act of condescension is the Atonement.
“Christ died for us”
Romans 5:8
“The Son of God.. love me, and gave himself for me”
Galatians 2:20
Mission for the savior was to place upon his back the burdens of the people.. relate to the mission of a donkey.
The word ‘fell’ becomes a key word in the account of the tree.. Of those who made it to the tree,
some ‘fell’ away before
1 Nephi 11:24 —
“And we went a little further… and Fell on his face” matthew 26:39
Does he sense the presence of his father there?
“O my Father” matthew 26:39
Elder Romney — the suffering that he undertook to endure and which he did endure equaled the combined suffering of all men.
CR Oct 1969, 57
On the cross where “all the infinite agonies.. ”
BRM – New Era, Dec 1984, 36-37
James Talmage Jesus the Christ 551
Ballard in CR 1910 Oct , 83 – I imagine that He had looked upon that Son until even the Father could not stand it, and He turned to some secluded spot and bowed and wept for the suffering of His Son, until, in the last agonizing throes of terrible suffering He cried, ‘My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”
“It is finished” John 19:28
Luke 23:46 – Father into thy hands I commend my spirit
while His body lay in the tomb.. he condescended to organize a missionary force in the spirit world.
D&C 138:30
D&C 138:35
Etymology of the Word Condescension
- The Latin ‘com’ means ‘together’
- Jesus testified I and my father are one.
John 8:28, John 10:20
He and hte Father are together in all things.
- we may all be one as him and his father are one.
- Descendere = “descend” or
- to come down.
- Jesus came down from glory to be born in the flesh.
- Descended below all things.
- “De-, down” or down from.
- jesus came down from the presence of the Father
- John 6:38
- Scandere – to climb
- D&C 93..
After His resurrection he condescended to appear to mortal men.
3 Nephi 11:15 — going forth one by one.
D&C 92:1 – every soul who forsaketh his sins…
BRM said we have the power and we have the privlege CR Oct 1997 52?
We pray to the father but the answer comes through the son.
Obadiah 1:21
For we condescend in mortality
- Baptism
- The holy ghost (another act of condescension that 2 members will allow the 3rd member of the Godhead to be withi us)
When we sin,
- he condescends to forgive us
– for baptism is for the remission of sins
1 nephi 14:14
1 Nephi 22:17
The Ministering of angels
- 1 Nephi 11:30
- When do the angels come? ensign april 1992, 12, 16
If we liken the condescension of the Lamb to ourselves:
- we will not only rejoice in teh blessings we receive,
- but we will mirror the righteous condescension
- we will do that with our children
- talk on their level
- listen on their level
- show interest in the things they are interested in
- participate in the things they do
Minister to the sick and afflicted.
Help the aged at whatever level of ability they may possess.
Share our wealth with the poor and our food with the hungry.
Hebrews 2:9
Hymns 196
Jesus once of humble birth.
