Matthew 15-17; Mark 7-9: “Thou Art the Christ” (April 10-16)

Peter’s hand holding keys, from the statue by Bertel Thorvaldsen

The Mount of Transfiguration was preceded by Peter’s declaration. I think that is not a coincidence. Jesus chose to entrust the continuation of His work to someone who was not only receptive to revelation but also bold in sharing it. Peter’s testimony—”Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God” (Matthew 16:19)— was powerfully reinforced six days later, as he heard the voice of the Father saying, “This is my beloved Son” (Matthew 17:5).

Isaiah prophesied that God would lay “the key of the house of David” on the shoulder of the Messiah, “so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open” (Isaiah 22:22). The preeminence and the permanence of His power to deliver us is thus symbolized by a key.

Immediately after Peter’s testimony, Jesus expressed His intention to share that power with him. Using language similar to Isaiah’s prophecy, He said, “I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:16, 19). The key now represented not only unique power but also transferrable power.

Six days later, Peter, James, and John ascended a mountain with Jesus, where He was transfigured before them: “His face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.” Moses and Elijah also appeared, and they heard the voice of the Father (Matthew 17:1-5, Mark 9:2-7).

Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery had a similar experience in 1836, in the newly-completed temple at Kirtland, Ohio. They saw the Savior with a shining countenance, and then in succession, they saw Moses, Elias, and finally Elijah, who declared, “The keys of this dispensation are committed into your hands” (Doctrine and Covenants 110:16).

It is amazing to know that God not only has power to save us but that He also shares that power with His children.

Here are some other lessons I’ve learned from these events, with associated blog posts:

• Jesus knows us by name (Matthew 16:13-19): “Behold, Thou Art Nephi” – Helaman 10:6.
• As we follow the Savior, He can transform us (Matthew 17:2): “His Countenance Did Smile upon Them” – 3 Nephi 19:25
• The Father expresses His love for His Son (Matthew 17:5, Mark 9:7, Luke 9:35): “My Beloved Son”

Here are some lessons from other passages in this week’s reading:

1. Be responsive to the needs of the people around you.

As Jesus observed a multitude who had brought their loved ones to Him to be healed, He said to His disciples, “I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way” (Matthew 15:32, italics added).

During His subsequent visit to the American continent, Jesus instructed His listeners to welcome all who wanted to meet with them: “Ye see that I have commanded that none of you should go away, but rather have commanded that ye should come unto me, that ye might feel and see; even so shall ye do unto the world” (3 Nephi 18:25).

Mormon tells us that one characteristic of the church in Zarahemla was that they were generous to everyone, old and young, bond and free, male and female, church members or not. “They did not send away any” who were in need (Alma 1:30).

Here’s a blog post about following the Savior’s example of compassionate service:

• They Did Not Send Any Away – Alma 1:30.

2. Lose yourself.

Jesus instructed His disciples to “deny [themselves].” He added, “Whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it” (Matthew 16:24-25, Mark 8:34-35, Luke 9:23-24).

This paradoxical observation is at the heart of our discipleship. We find ourselves by not obsessing about ourselves but by serving others unselfishly. As we let go of our self-consciousness and focus instead on loving and serving others, we find true happiness.

Here is a post about how selfless service helped Alma grow spiritually:

• Thou Art My Servant – Mosiah 26:19-20

3. Believe in the seemingly impossible.

As Jesus descended from the Mount of Transfiguration with Peter, James, and John, they found a desperate father waiting for them. His son had a devil, and the Savior’s disciples had been unable to heal him. After asking about the child’s condition, Jesus assured the father, “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth” (Mark 9:23). The father responded with what Alma called “a particle of faith” and “a desire to believe” (Alma 32:27), as he said, “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief” (Mark 9:24).

I think it’s significant that the first thing the Savior did was to calm down the father with a reassurance that the elusive miracle was possible.

After healing the child, Jesus taught His disciples, “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you” (Matthew 17:20).

Elder Patrick Kearon said, “Jesus specializes in the seemingly impossible. He came here to make the impossible possible” (“He Is Risen with Healing in His Wings: We Can Be More Than Conquerors,” General Conference, October 2022).

Here’s a blog post about exercising faith in the Savior’s ability to do impossible things:

• Nothing Shall Be Impossible

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