Christ was Slain for the Sins of the World

Nov. 28, 2015

3 Nephi 11:14

Whenever people do wrong, we think they need to be punished, that we cannot and should not be punished for them. We actually don't want to be punished in their behalf because they did wrong and therefore they deserve to pay the penalty. It is true that "We believe that men will be punished for their own sins and not for Adam's transgression." However, in the case of Christ and His atonement, He did suffer for the wrongs and sins of others, not for just a few people, but for the sins of ALL people--those who have lived in the past, those who do live in the present, and those  will yet  be born and live in the future. Jesus was slain for every individual and specific sin.

When we commit one sin, it hurts. Christ, being sinless, hurt and felt the pain of ALL sins, and this thought staggers the imagination. Our finite minds cannot think deeply enough or stretch widely enough to even begin to comprehend the suffering of Jesus.

Jesus said, (D&C 19:16-19)

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

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

18 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—

19 Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.

“Coming to understand this great gift (the Atonement) is an individual pursuit for each child of God.”M. Russell Ballard

“The Atonement and the Value of One Soul” Ensign, May 2004, 84

THE ATONEMENT OF JESUS CHRIST

Expediency of Christ’s Atonement

And now, behold, I will testify unto you of myself that these things are true. Behold, I say unto you, that I do know that Christ shall come among the children of men, to take upon him the transgressions of his people, and that he shall atone for the sins of the world; for the Lord God hath spoken it. For it is expedient that an atonement should be made; for according to the great plan of the Eternal God there must be an atonement made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish; yea, all are hardened; yea, all are fallen and are lost, and must perish except it be through the atonement which it is expedient should be made.

--Alma 34:8-9

Jesus Christ’s atonement is expedient (important, vital, necessary, advantageous). It is absolutely crucial and absolutely essential and imperative that an infinite atonement be made for the sanctification and salvation of all. All would become lost and fallen without the atonement of Christ. Jesus took upon himself our sins and transgressions; whereby, we might not suffer if we repent and become clean and pure and undefiled. We can become clean from the blood and sins of this generation by applying the atoning blood of Christ in our lives. The atonement of Christ is the single most important thing in existence and that ever will be. We are indebted to Christ for His great and eternal sacrifice which occurred in Gethsemane, continued on the Cross, and culminated with the resurrection.

JESUS CHRIST: REPENTANCE MADE POSSIBLE

The Suffering of Jesus

"Glory be to the Father"

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

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

18 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—

19 Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.

--Doctrine and Covenants 19:16-19

Jesus suffered for all, giving us the opportunity and freedom to repent if we choose to do so; otherwise, we must suffer as He suffered. One of the sufferings we will experience if we don’t repent is that His Spirit will withdraw from us. Jesus’ suffering was so great that it caused Him to tremble because of pain, to bleed at every pore. He suffered both body and spirit to fulfill the will of the Father and bring about the Father’s desire of providing a Savior for all.

Jesus is that Savior who glorified the Father from the beginning. We to can glorify God by repenting and following our Savior in righteousness; herein, is peace and happiness and joy.

JESUS CHRIST: POWER OVER LIFE AND DEATH

Revelation 1:5-6

5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Jesus Christ is the Prince of the Kings of the earth. Because of His great love for us, He sacrificed His own blood for our sins. He suffered for sins so that we might not suffer if we would repent and obey Him. If we don’t repent, then we must suffer ourselves. Blood means life. The children of Israel made blood sacrifices in similitude of the blood that Jesus would sacrifice, His own blood. Jesus made the choice. He chose to shed His blood for our wrongdoings, our misdeeds, our misbehaviors, our violation of God’s laws and statutes.

Jesus was the first fruits of the dead to be resurrected. He had power to resurrect himself and obtain a resurrected body of flesh, bone, spirit, but no blood. He Jesus opened the way for us to become Kings and Priests in the hereafter unto God the Father; therefore, we must be humble and glorify Him forever and forever.

THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST

1 Peter 1:18-20

18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

Apostle Neil A. Maxwell

Neil A. Maxwell delivered a tremendous discourse about "Applying the Atoning Blood of Christ." See it here in detail.

Jesus Christ was foreordained before the foundation of the world to be our Savior, Redeemer and Mediator. He is the Firstborn of the Father in the pre-mortal life and the Only Begotten of the Father in the flesh. Redemption comes through the shedding of Christ’s precious blood, and not by worldly things like silver and gold. Jesus overcame the world.

In the pre-mortal life, Jesus volunteered to be our Savior, and the Father selected Him; whereupon, satan rebelled. Here is where the war in heaven occurred between Michael (Adam) joined by other righteous spirits and the dragon, known as the Devil and Satan, along with other evil spirits. Because of satan’s rebellion, satan and one third of the hosts of heaven were cast out of heaven down to the earth as evil spirits (See Revelation 12:7-11 for the War in Heaven).

Jesus lives, and He loves. He stands at the door of our souls and knocks. It is up to up to open and let Him enter into our lives.

COME UNTO CHRIST: THE PRINCE OF PEACE

Hebrews 9:11-14

11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;

12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:

14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Jesus’ shedded blood brought eternal redemption for us, redemption from physical death. Redemption over spiritual death is predicated upon our obedience and righteousness to true gospel principles and ordinances. We must follow God’s laws with exactness. Jesus was without spot for He sinned not. He has power to purge our conscience. Our conscience is an instrument that guides us in doing right or wrong. If we do right, our conscience will tell us that we are in the right because we will feel right, good, peaceful, and assured. When we do wrong or are thinking about doing wrong, our conscience will tells that it is wrong, that we should not do or say it because we will feel bad and empty, will have a stupor of thought. When we seek Jesus and His teachings, we will always feel good.

Abraham Lincoln said, “When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad.” Our conscience, the Light of Christ,  is a gift from the Almighty God to show us the right way and to help us make correct decisions.

“All people are born with the capacity to distinguish between right and wrong. This ability, called conscience, is a manifestation of the Light of Christ (see Moroni 7:15–19). A person's conscience is a defense against situations that are spiritually harmful. Righteous decisions and obedience to the commandments bring peace of conscience.

When we sin, we feel remorse or guilt, just as we feel physical pain when we are wounded. This is the natural response of our conscience to sin, and it can lead us to repent.

Repentance and forgiveness renew our peace of conscience. On the other hand, if we ignore our conscience and do not repent, our conscience will be impaired as if it has been “seared with a hot iron” (1 Timothy 4:2).

We are to learn to follow our conscience. This is an important part of exercising our agency. The more we follow our conscience, the stronger it will become. A sensitive conscience is a sign of a healthy spirit.

Click for a complete documentary. (See LDS Topics-Conscience)

JESUS CHRIST: HE ATONED

Ephesians 1:7

We have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.

We are redeemed through the shedded blood of Jesus Christ. His atoning blood gives Christ power to forgive us of our sins and imperfections. Jesus’ blood atoneth for us; we just need to apply the atoning blood of Christ into our lives through obedience to the commandments and ordinances in order for the power of the atonement to take effect in us; otherwise, we remain in our sins and fall short of the glory of God.

Jesus’ grace makes us feel rich. As we are forgiven of our sins, we become reconciled to God, and we feel peace. The peace of Christ makes us feel rich toward God, and growing rich toward God is the only true form of being rich, for herein we have potential to experience the riches of eternity in the Celestial Kingdom with Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Ghost, family and friends. This is exaltation, living forever in the hereafter the life that God lives now. It is all possible because of the infinite blood atonement and sacrifice of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I know this is true.

Jesus Christ: Blood Atonement

I Cor. 15:3-4

3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.

Christ sacrificed His life and blood for our sins. He died on the cross, suffering the most cruel form of death known to man, because of His deep love for His Father and us. He suffered and bled from every pore so great was His pain and anguish of soul. He lived great, and He died great. He sealed His love and testimony through the shedding of His blood, His atoning blood in our behalf.

Jesus is the Savior of the world. He came in the meridian of time, and He will come again for His Second Coming, of this day no one knows except God the Father. The angels of heaven don’t even know the day when He will return to earth and reign for 1000 years. Jesus is the anointed one, the Great I AM.

We can attempt to pay Him back by obeying His commandments and loving Him and others, by seeking Him first and striving to make the world a better place to live and be. We can never completely repay Him for what He did for us, but we can at least obey  the best we can.

Jesus Christ: Our Utmost Redeemer

Luke 1:18

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people.

Jesus, the Lord God of Israel, redeemed His people through His suffering in Gethsemane and His crucifixion on the Cross. The prints of the nails in His hands and feet evidence His infinite love for us all

. He opened the door for His people to enter into the path of life leading to eternal life, the life that God and Jesus Christ live, one of peace and everlasting joy, having spiritual offspring and being a God of many worlds.

Jesus descended below all things in order to rise above all things. He lifts us up when we are downtrodden, for His yoke is easy and His burden light. He knows our every thought and desire, our wants and needs. He knows all, for there isn’t anything He doesn’t know.

The prints of the nails in His hands and feel mark the way, for He is the way.

Jesus Christ: True Success in Life

Luke 22:20

19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

The sacrament of the Lord’s Supper established a tradition and commandment that would last throughout the duration of this mortal earth. Jesus administered the bread and wine (now water) to be partaken of in remembrance of His body and His blood.  Jesus promises that if we will partake of His flesh and blood worthily and often, then we  will always have His Spirit to be with us.

Jesus shed His blood voluntarily so that we could exercise our agency  and hopefully choose to follow Him and obey His teachings. Jesus set the perfect example for us to follow and strive to be like. True success in this life is  to  become as Christ-like as possible. The more Christ-like a person is, the more successful he is living. This is the one and only true measure of success in mortality that will really mean anything at the judgment day and throughout eternity. Being the best baseball player or the best singer or the richest person or the greatest doctor or the most popular person will all mean nothing of value in the eternal scope of life. In fact, these worldly achievements can ultimately hurt us forever. What matters most is the type of person we have become. All other things will be trivial. Thus, seek to put God first,  strive to be like Him in your thoughts and actions and desires and motives.

Be like Jesus of Nazareth, our Savior and King.

• MP3

“I’m Trying to Be like Jesus,” Children’s Songbook of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 78–79

 

1. I’m trying to be like Jesus;
I’m following in his ways.
I’m trying to love as he did, in all that I do and say.
At times I am tempted to make a wrong choice,
But I try to listen as the still small voice whispers,

2. I’m trying to love my neighbor;
I’m learning to serve my friends.
I watch for the day of gladness when Jesus will come again.
I try to remember the lessons he taught.
Then the Holy Spirit enters into my thoughts, saying:

Chorus
“Love one another as Jesus loves you.
Try to show kindness in all that you do.
Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,
For these are the things Jesus taught.”

Words and music: Janice Kapp Perry, b. 1938
© 1980 by Janice Kapp Perry. This song may be copied for incidental, noncommercial church or home use.

 

John 13:15

John 13:34

 

 

Jesus Christ: Blood of the New Testament

Matthew 26:27-28

27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;

28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Jesus shed His blood in Gethsemane and on the Cross for the remission of sins. The Cross was Jesus’ altar of sacrifice, for here upon is where Jesus offered and sacrificed His own life by suffering to the end. He never faltered, but He always did the will of His Father. Jesus’ blood represents life, mortal life and eternal life, the most desirable life one could desire, but many don’t know about this life that can be eternal., and eternal life is the greatest of all the gifts that God can offer.

Salvation Through the Name of Jesus Christ

Book of Mormon--Helaman 5:9 (About 30 BC)

Remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, who shall come; yea, remember that he cometh to redeem the world.

Jesus Christ’s name is the only name through which man can be saved. His is the only name whereby redemption is obtained. Only through Jesus’ name is the world redeemed. No other person or thing can take the place of our Savior’s atoning sacrifice, His infinite atonement (payment) for our sins. His name is the only name under heaven whereby man could become clean and pure and sanctified. When we are pure and clean of our sins, it is because of our sincere repentance and the grace of God. Grace is divine assistance. We are saved through the grace of God after all we can do.

Think-Ponder-Pray: When you hear or think of the name Jesus Christ:

1. What comes to mind?
2. What do you think of?
3. What feelings enter your heart?
4. What directions do  your thoughts go?
5. Why do you feel a spirit of reverence?
6. Why do tears fill your eyes?
7. Why do you feel a deeper spirit of humility?  
8. Why is your tongue stayed and speechless for a few minutes?
9. What now is most important in life?
10. What is your standing with God?
11. Why am I not more grateful to Him than I should be?
12. How can I increase my love and gratitude for Him?
13. Is my  life in harmony with the teachings of the Lord?
14. How can I do and be better?
15. How can I improve my life?
16. How can I live a more Christ-like life?
17. How can I please Him more?

Ponder answers to these questions, and you will have a spiritual experience because of our loving Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ who made Jesus’ atonement possible. We are forever indebted to them. Trust them, and trust His name.