Today we had a guest teacher, Natalie Krumbah. Her lesson was Ch. 11 in the Gospel Principles book, entitled "The Life of Christ." All of the prophets from Adam on foretold of the birth of a Savior. Adam learned that the Savior's name would be Jesus Christ (Moses 6:51-52.) Enoch saw that Jesus would die upon the cross and be resurrected (Moses 7:55-56.) Noah and Moses also testified of him. (Moses 1:11; 8:23-24.) Isaiah foretold of His life 800 years before the Savior was born (Isaiah 53:3-5,7.)
Nephi saw a vision of the Savior's future birth and mission (1 Nephi 11:18-21.) The list goes on. . . Sis. Krumbah asked with all of these separate witnesses, how can one doubt the divinity of Christ's life and mission?
Jesus was the only begotten of the Father. This means He is literally the only person on earth to have been born of a mortal mother and an immortal Father. He inherited divine powers from His Father. From His mother He inherited mortality. This was necessary for our redemption. He had to be able to die for the remission of our sins, and He also had to have the power to take up His body again after dying.
He led a perfect life. He set a perfect example for us to follow. There are many stories we can tell from the Savior's life, but my personal favorite is found in Luke 18:16 "But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little achildren to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God." For many generations, the father in the home was not expected to be affectionate, or to spend any time with his children. The father provided the essentials and the mother provided the nurturing. So to me, for the Savior of all mankind to tell His disciples to allow the children to come to Him, for Him to minister and show love to these "insignificant" little ones, for our Messiah and Redeemer to take time from his expectedly busy schedule to just visit with children is amazing to me. He set a perfect example for us in every way, but this particular example touches me.
He taught us how to love and serve one another. He spent His life serving others. With His ability to perform miracles, Christ could have only catered to the wealthy, the famous, and the beloved. But instead He spent His time amongst the lame, the deaf, the poor and downtrodden. He loved others with all His heart. He even loved those who sinned against him and were unrepentant. And He still loves us now. He died for us just as He died for those he lived amongst.
He organized the only true church. Jesus wanted His gospel taught to people all over the earth. In these latter days, He has provided us with the authority to act in His name and to teach, baptize, and perform other ordinances in His name.
He redeemed us from our sins and saved us from death. Jesus was condemned to die because He testified that He is the son of God. The night before His crucifixion, He went to the garden of Gethsemane. There he was weighed down by deep sorrow and He wept as He prayed. He asked his Father to remove "this cup...nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." Even suffering such enormous pain and sorrow, pain and agony, that he bled from every pore as He took upon Himself literally every sin of mankind, He was obedient to the will of His Father. As our Savior and Redeemer, He has felt every sorrow, every amount of suffering, every pain, sickness, infirmity, and sin of every single person who will EVER live. No mortal person can comprehend just how great this burden was.
His sacrifice showed His love for His Father and for us. Jesus taught "Greater man hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13) He willingly and humbly went through the sorrow in Gethsemane and the suffering on the cross so we could receive all the blessings of the plan of salvation. What are your feelings as you ponder the Savior's sacrifice for you?
May each of you come to know your Savior as intimately as He knows you. Have a good week! Dede B.
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