Gethsemane-Crucifixion-Resurrection

Scott Grow, regarding the Atonement of Jesus Christ, said, “His Atonement began in Gethsemane and continued on the cross and culminated with the Resurrection.”

Click here for the entire discourse on "The Miracle of the Atonement," by Scott Grow

JESUS: AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH

“...let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

--Hebrews 12:1-2

We are all involved deeply in the race of life, not a race where we try to outdo others, but to compete against ourselves, to strive to live better today that we did yesterday. We seek a nobler character. We are also racing against sin and satan, trying to outdo him and show him that we will not fall for his traps and subtly. We can win the race of life if we have faith in Jesus Christ who is the author and finisher of our faith, if we but perform righteous works with an eye single to His glory. Jesus endured the cruel cross where He died for us so that we may  have eternal life if we merit such a blessed reward and honor. If we honor our covenants then He will honor us, even with exaltation and everlasting life in the presence of God the Father and the Son and our families and loved ones.

JESUS CHRIST: GLORY and HONOR

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

--Hebrews 2:9

Jesus suffered death, even death of the cross. He finished the infinite Atonement for all, and in doing so, He was crowned with glory and honor. His atonement made it possible for everyone capable of sinning to repent and receive forgiveness of sins. His perfect atonement suffered pain, agony, and sorrows for all. He suffered for the sins, sicknesses, diseases, and afflictions of people everywhere. His atonement is infinite and eternal.

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: THE ULTIMATE OFFER

Jesus Offered Up Himself

For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.

--Hebrews 7:27

Jesus is the Great I AM. He sacrificed himself up, upon the cross, to atone for our sins. He didn’t atone for His own sins, for He had none, but He atoned for the sins of everyone who  was and is capable of sinning. Little children cannot sin, but they are guiltless because of Christ’s loving atonement. Others, under certain circumstances, cannot sin and are not held accountable for they know not right from wrong. Without Christ, no one would be able to be resurrected and live forever in the resurrected state. His atonement makes salvation possible and brings people back into the presence of God the Father to live forever with Him, those who earn eternal life. Others will dwell in a lesser degree of glory predicated upon the choices they made here in mortality.

Jesus offered up himself, denying himself for the benefit of others.

JESUS CHRIST: THE SUFFERINGS OF

Jesus Christ Suffered Death in the Flesh

The Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him.

--Doctrine and Covenants 18:11

Jesus, our Redeemer, suffered pain and agony in the flesh, mind, and His spirit. He experienced excruciating pain and torment and affliction for all people and things, giving us the chance to repent, to change our ways and come closer to Him, to become His sons and daughters. He suffered torment from those who hated Him and persecuted Him, from those who scourged and crucified Him, from those who betrayed Him. Even those who didn’t believe Him or believe in Him, this caused great mental trauma in His soul. Jesus loves all people, regardless of their actions, although He doesn’t like one’s evil actions. Jesus is the great I AM.

JESUS CHRIST: THE ONLY WAY

And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. (Revelation 5:8-9)

We sing a new song to our Savior, Jesus Christ, expressing our love and devotion, our remembrance of and acknowledgement of Him and His atoning sacrifice for us, that He has redeemed us by the shedding of His blood in Gethsemane and on the cross of Calvary. He suffered, bled, died, and was resurrected for every kindred, tongue, people, and nation. He is the only one with power to perform the perfect atonement. 

If we live righteously, apply the atoning blood of Christ in our lives, and endure faithfully to the end of mortality, we can become kings and priests, queens and priestesses to God our Heavenly Father forever and forever. We can lay our burdens and concerns on Christ, and He will lift us through. We can get through them like the children of Israel went through the Jordan River on dry ground; God the almighty made it possible; otherwise they couldn’t have done by themselves, without His divine assistance. If we have the will, Christ is the way. Look to Him in every thought, deed, motive, and desire, and He will seal us to Him.

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.

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: 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.

Jesus Christ: Supreme Lovingkindness

Isaiah 63:7-9

7 I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses.

8 For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour.

9 In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.

Jesus, our Redeemer, constantly demonstrated lovingkindness. His  supreme love and kindness came to a summit on two occasions in two places:

(1) While suffering and bleeding from every pore when in Gethsemane

(2) While bleeding and dying when on the cruel Cross

Jesus suffered, bled and died, sacrificing His life for all humankind and all living things. He shed His blood in the perfect atonement so that we might be forgiven of our sins and gain eternal life.

How do we gain access to the Power of the Atonement?

1. Put God first: “Thou shalt have no other gods before me”
2. Exercise faith in Christ
3. Repent
4. Be worthily baptized by proper authority
5. Receive the gift of the Holy Ghost
6. Make and keep sacred covenants in the temple
7. Obey all God’s commandments
8. Be meek and humble
9. Pray 100% perfectly honest prayers
10. Praise the Lord with all our hearts
11. Be perfectly honest and upright at all times
12. Serve others with love
13. Acknowledge God’s hand in all things
14. Always be temple worthy

Jesus is the author and finisher of our salvation through His perfect atonement

Jesus Christ: A Man of Sorrows

Isaiah 53:4

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

Jesus, our Redeemer, suffered in the flesh. HE suffered the pain of all. He bore our griefs and sorrows. He experienced and felt all our pain and suffering and guilt. He knows what we are going through in this lifetime. He knows how we feel when we are sick, are disappointed, get hurt, feel inadequate, sin. He experienced all these things in Gethsemane and on the Cross. He was stricken and smitten and afflicted in every possible manner, beyond our comprehension.

Jesus experienced pain, afflictions, and temptations of  every kind. He knows what cancer is like, what heart attacks are like, what brain damage is like, how it feels to be criticized. He experienced all these things and all other possible things we can’t even imagine. He is the Savior and Redeemer. It pleased the Father to bruise Him , to make Him the Savior of the world. He lives and loves everyone.  He died that all might live.

Jesus Offereth Himself a Sacrifice for Sin

2 Nephi 2:7

7 Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered.

In the Law of Moss, people offered animals, fowl, and ox as sacrifices, symbolic of the future ultimate sacrifice that Christ would make. They would kill it, sacrifice it on the altar, and then they would sprinkle it's blood on the altar for reconciliation and atonement for the sins of the people.

Jesus offered HIMSELF as a sacrifice for the sins of the people. He didn't sacrifice animals, fowl or ox, but he sacrificed HIMSELF, His life and blood, willingly and humbly to do the Father's will for humankind. He chose to die at the moment he gave up the ghost. He suffered until His time was up. The Law of Moses sacrifices were finite and short-lived, but Jesus' sacrifice was Infinite and eternal.

The cross was Jesus's altar of sacrifice.