week 12: all amazed

Today happens to be the Thursday before Easter, which, over two thousand years ago, would have been the night of the Last Supper, the night Jesus entered the Garden of Gethsemane, and the night of his arrest. Because I feel so inadequate to talk about such a sacred subject, I just want to share some scriptures about Christ and his Atonement, from the New Testament, the Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine and Covenants, and share what they mean to me.

Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt (Matthew 26:38-39).

And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt (Mark 14:36).

And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.

And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground (Luke 22: 43-44).

And lo, he shall suffer temptations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death; for behold, blood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people (Mosiah 3:7)

And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities (Alma 7:11-12).

For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;

But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;

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 (Doctrine and Covenants 19:16-19).

I can't even begin to express my gratitude for Jesus Christ. This is why He is the center of our gospel and the center of our lives: without Him, there is nothing. But because of His sacrifice, there is hope :) We can be saved, we can be clean, we can be whole, and all because He loved us enough.

The words of one of my favorite hymns say it better than I could: "Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me enough to die for me. Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me" ("I Stand All Amazed," LDS Hymnal). I know He lives, I know He loves us. I love Him with all my heart, and I hope that my actions, words, and thoughts will reflect that. May He be in our thoughts tonight and this weekend as we commemorate His death and glorious Resurrection. <3

Artwork: "Gethsemane" by Adam Abram
Emphasis added on quoted scriptures.
Insights inspired / catalyzed by Prof. Tyler Griffin's 03/27/18 lecture, REL A 250, Brigham Young University.