Easter is coming and I have been reading the final events of the Savior’s life. I am deeply touched every time I read these stories and am again impressed with how very much He loves us. In Mark’s account of the events in Gethsemane (a word which means Oil Press), he tells us that as Jesus began to take upon himself the sins of the world He “began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy” (Mark 14:33). A closer look at the Greek words tells us that a better translation of “sore amazed” would be “terrified surprise or astonishment.”
The Savior knew he would suffer for all of our sins, but being sinless He had never ever tasted the consequences of sin. While he knew intellectually what He was about, He—even with His extraordinary ability—had no idea how horrendous this would be and it surprised Him with its intensity and terror. But despite the terror, despite the horrendous surprise Jesus persisted so that you and I could escape that very terror. He took on the terror of our sins—He became like us, so that we could become like Him. In those horrendous hours in Gethsemane our sins were transferred to Him and His perfections was transferred to us.
He paid a tremendous price to save us. If we now remember that we are His, that we are bought with a price, we can be perfected in Him. It is difficult to even comprehend the love that would motivate such an act. But it is real and it is ours.
Picture: "Gethsemane" by James Christiansen
Posts
6 comments:
Besides the confirmation of our testimony, this part of the story always brings me to tears. Not just the gratitude for what He did for us, but the pain and suffering He endured affects me so deeply and it never changes. It's not like a story you've read many times so you're used to it. No matter how many times I read it, the effect is the same, and I think more so as I get older. It is one thing to lay your life down for someone you love, but it is totally different to take on the suffering of mankind. He suffered for small sins, but also the horrendous sins we can't even comprehend. In a world where nowadays everything seems so bad and worldly, I hope we can keep our focus and gratitude for what our Savior has done for us all, although I don't think we will ever be able to comprehend it fully. I hope you have an Easter that brings you a spiritual feast and a feeling of peace and calm.
Cathie
I really appreciated Elder Holland's talk that discussed this as well. I've always been so thankful for the Atonement--especially the part where He truly understands what we're actually feeling because He suffered it too. I hope you have a wonderful Easter weekend. :)
Cathie, Thanks for the thoughts you added. I hope you have a great Easter also.
Wendi, Yes, Elder Holland's talk was amazing. And I hope you have agreat Easter weekend also.
I LOVE That picture and have not been able to find it. Where is it? You know some think that the angel that strengthened him was Adam. It makes since. He was responsible for the fall and Christ is responsible for the atonement.
I loved the comments of Elder Holland's:
Passover Thursday with it's pascal lamb, Atonement Friday with it's cross and Ressurection Sunday with it's empty tomb.
Favorite Things, Elder Holland's talk was wonderful, wasn't it! I also love the picture. I like to imagine angels looking over me like that!
Post a Comment