"Jesus rose from the dead. As a glorified, resurrected being, he appeared before his disciples. They saw him - saw the wounds which marked his crucifixion. They saw him eat and speak and move before them. He was alive! They saw that he lived, and they declared that witness before kings and nations and defended it by faithful testimony to the end of their lives. Others, apostles and prophets in this modern day, bear the same witness: that Jesus lives and is the Redeemer! ("The Life and Teachings of Jesus and His Apostles," p 201.)
Others have borne testimony of the risen Lord. We find a beautiful account of Him appearing to the ancient inhabitants of America in the "Book of Mormon," 3 Nephi 11:10-17:
"Behold, I am Jesus Christ whom the prophets testified should come into the world. And behold, I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning.
"And it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words the whole multitude fell to the earth for they remembered that it had been prophesied among them that Christ should show himself unto them after his ascension into heaven.
"And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto them saying: Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world.
"And it came to pass that the multitude went forth, and thrust their hands into his side, and did feel the prints of the nails in his hands and feet; and this they did do, going forth one by one, until they had all gone forth, and did see with their eyes and did feel with their hands, and did know of a surety and did bear record, that it was he, of whom it was written by the prophets, that should come.
"And when they had all gone forth and had witnessed for themselves, they did cry out with one accord, saying: Hosanna! Blessed be the name of the Most High God! And they did fall down at the feet of Jesus, and did worship him."
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Gethsemane and the Cross
Jesus Christ's crucifixion is a major focal point of Christianity. Jesus suffered, died, and was resurrected so that our sins may be forgiven and we can be resurrected and live forever with Him. Latter-day revelation, as recorded in the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants, gives insight in addition to what is recorded in the New Testament.
Matthew and Mark tell us that as Jesus and the eleven apostles reached the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was feeling very heavy, sorrowful, and sore amazed. Eight of the eleven stayed behind while Peter, James, and John went with Jesus farther into the Garden. Leaving them to watch and pray, Jesus went a stone's throw farther to be by himself. What happened there? It is recorded that something was so horrendous that Jesus Christ, the very Son of God, cried out twice in anguish for His Father to release Him from the bitter cup if it be possible, but nevertheless, He would do His Father's will. Only Luke records that something so terrible was happening that great drops of blood seeped out of His skin like sweat and fell to the ground. An angel was sent from heaven to strengthen Him, but he couldn't be released from His suffering until His mission was accomplished.
Was Jesus' ordeal in Gethsemane related to fear of His coming crucifixion? No! Although He knew it would be a terribly painful ordeal, that was not why He was in such great distress. I quote from the N.T. study guide: "As a mortal you are unable to fully understand the significance of the sufferings, the sorrow, and the anguish of soul endured by the Savior in the Garden of Gethsemane; for what mortal could comprehend the intensity of the physical, mental, and spiritual pain Jesus suffered when he took upon himself the punishment and remorse incident to the sins of all mankind? Yet, you may understand in part; and the words of the Savior give you a glimpse of what was experienced in the Garden. To the Prophet Joseph Smith the Lord said of the suffering of that hour,
"Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit--and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink-- Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men." (D&C 19:18, 19.)
It was mostly in the Garden where Jesus suffered and paid the demands of justice for all who obey Him and repent of their sins. It came upon Him again the next day while hanging on the cross. He cried out in anguish, asking why His Father had forsaken Him (as had happened in the Garden) It was necessary that He complete His atoning sacrifice by Himself, that He tread "the winepress alone" (Isa. 63:3; D&C 76:107; 88:106; 133:48,50).
Matthew and Mark tell us that as Jesus and the eleven apostles reached the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was feeling very heavy, sorrowful, and sore amazed. Eight of the eleven stayed behind while Peter, James, and John went with Jesus farther into the Garden. Leaving them to watch and pray, Jesus went a stone's throw farther to be by himself. What happened there? It is recorded that something was so horrendous that Jesus Christ, the very Son of God, cried out twice in anguish for His Father to release Him from the bitter cup if it be possible, but nevertheless, He would do His Father's will. Only Luke records that something so terrible was happening that great drops of blood seeped out of His skin like sweat and fell to the ground. An angel was sent from heaven to strengthen Him, but he couldn't be released from His suffering until His mission was accomplished.
Was Jesus' ordeal in Gethsemane related to fear of His coming crucifixion? No! Although He knew it would be a terribly painful ordeal, that was not why He was in such great distress. I quote from the N.T. study guide: "As a mortal you are unable to fully understand the significance of the sufferings, the sorrow, and the anguish of soul endured by the Savior in the Garden of Gethsemane; for what mortal could comprehend the intensity of the physical, mental, and spiritual pain Jesus suffered when he took upon himself the punishment and remorse incident to the sins of all mankind? Yet, you may understand in part; and the words of the Savior give you a glimpse of what was experienced in the Garden. To the Prophet Joseph Smith the Lord said of the suffering of that hour,
"Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit--and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink-- Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men." (D&C 19:18, 19.)
It was mostly in the Garden where Jesus suffered and paid the demands of justice for all who obey Him and repent of their sins. It came upon Him again the next day while hanging on the cross. He cried out in anguish, asking why His Father had forsaken Him (as had happened in the Garden) It was necessary that He complete His atoning sacrifice by Himself, that He tread "the winepress alone" (Isa. 63:3; D&C 76:107; 88:106; 133:48,50).
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Love One Another
Following the Passover meal before His crucifixion, Jesus gave a new commandment to the eleven disciples (Judas Iscariot had left the group to go make arrangements for the betrayal). John 13:34-35 says, "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."
What was new about this commandment? Jesus had already taught that to love God and others were the two greatest commandments. Now, Jesus was commanding them to love as He loved, and the ultimate example of His love was about to be demonstrated.
From the N.T. study guide: "Jesus is the Father's gift to all men. In offering his Son as he did, our Father in heaven has shown us our truest example of pure love. Out of his divine love came a willingness to endure the sacrifice of his Son - the incomparable suffering in Gethsemane, the abuse by Romans and Jews, the mockery of a trial, the pain and horror of a crucifixion. And why? Because our Father in heaven loves us and knew that we could return to him only through the atonement of Jesus Christ.
"The Savior did not have to die, for he held death in abeyance. His was a willing sacrifice, a supreme act of love. He lived a life of complete obedience to the Father's will. In giving his life willingly as he did, our Savior placed the seal of divine love on his life and mission and demonstrated the course which all men should emulate.
"It has been aptly observed that while many of the world's great religious leaders taught the principle of love, Jesus is the only one who could truly say, "Follow me," for he alone not only taught the principle but exemplified it. And we are to love one another as he has loved us. "By this," he says, "shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."
How do we acquire that kind of love, and what is it? The LDS Bible Dictionary calls it Charity and defines it this way: "The highest, noblest, strongest kind of love, not merely affection; the pure love of Christ. It is never used to denote alms or deeds or benevolence, although it may be a prompting motive." For a more complete description and to learn how to acquire it we turn to Moroni 8:45-48 (Moroni is found in the Book of Mormon. A similiar passage is found in 1 Cor 13:1-13):
45 And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
46 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fall--
47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.
48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ, that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen."
What was new about this commandment? Jesus had already taught that to love God and others were the two greatest commandments. Now, Jesus was commanding them to love as He loved, and the ultimate example of His love was about to be demonstrated.
From the N.T. study guide: "Jesus is the Father's gift to all men. In offering his Son as he did, our Father in heaven has shown us our truest example of pure love. Out of his divine love came a willingness to endure the sacrifice of his Son - the incomparable suffering in Gethsemane, the abuse by Romans and Jews, the mockery of a trial, the pain and horror of a crucifixion. And why? Because our Father in heaven loves us and knew that we could return to him only through the atonement of Jesus Christ.
"The Savior did not have to die, for he held death in abeyance. His was a willing sacrifice, a supreme act of love. He lived a life of complete obedience to the Father's will. In giving his life willingly as he did, our Savior placed the seal of divine love on his life and mission and demonstrated the course which all men should emulate.
"It has been aptly observed that while many of the world's great religious leaders taught the principle of love, Jesus is the only one who could truly say, "Follow me," for he alone not only taught the principle but exemplified it. And we are to love one another as he has loved us. "By this," he says, "shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."
How do we acquire that kind of love, and what is it? The LDS Bible Dictionary calls it Charity and defines it this way: "The highest, noblest, strongest kind of love, not merely affection; the pure love of Christ. It is never used to denote alms or deeds or benevolence, although it may be a prompting motive." For a more complete description and to learn how to acquire it we turn to Moroni 8:45-48 (Moroni is found in the Book of Mormon. A similiar passage is found in 1 Cor 13:1-13):
45 And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
46 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fall--
47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.
48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ, that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen."
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