Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 3:12-13

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 3:12-13

"Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?

And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you."

There was something missing and the Joseph Smith Translation had it.

"For it is well known unto you, Theophilus, that after the manner of the Jews and according to the custom of their law in receiving money into the treasury, that out of the abundance which was received was appointed unto the poor, every man his portion;

And after this manner did the publicans also, wherefore, John said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you."

(JST Luke 3:19-20)

John had told them earlier "Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance.." (vs. 8). John could preach repentance and baptize them but the change had to come from within. John exposed where they erred and what sin could still overcome them. He gave the counsel that may have been hard to hear. It is interesting that publicans collected the tax under the Roman government. For this the Jews detested them and they were excommunicated. They also showed themselves ready to receive the gospel, ready to change. Matthew was one of them.

"Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him."

(Luke 15:1)

"Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.

For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him."

(Matthew 21:31-32)

Day 3135