JESUS CHRIST: PROPHECY OF FULFILLED

For according to the words of the prophets, the Messiah cometh in six hundred years from the time that my father left Jerusalem; and according to the words of the prophets, and also the word of the angel of God, his name shall be Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

--2 Nephi 25:19

Prophets of God prophesied that Christ, the Messiah, would come 600 years after the prophet Lehi and his family left Jerusalem heading to America. They also prophesied that the Messiah’s name would be Jesus Christ, the Son of God. These prophecies were fulfilled. Jesus was born to the virgin Mary as prophesied 600 years from when Lehi and family did actually leave Jerusalem. He was named Jesus, again fulfilling prophecy. He became the Christ, the Savior of the World. He lived a perfect life. In Him was no guile or sin. He lived the example that we all should strive to follow. He helped people, taught people, and completely overcame the world. We too need to put worldly things second and first the things of the gospel and of a spiritual nature. In other words, we need to put God first and foremost above all else.

JESUS CHRIST: HIS MISSION HIS MINISTRY

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

--Hebrews 13:8

Jesus’ gospel is the same yesterday, today, and will be forever. The true everlasting principles and doctrines of the true gospel won’t change; for they will be eternally the same. Uninspired men attempt to change His true church, but they don’t succeed. His truth is perpetual, never-ending.

Jesus’ mission was the Atonement. His ministry was to heal the sick, teach the gospel, raise the dead, minister to the poor, build people up, establish His church. We have been asked to minister like Jesus, and we can; however, we can’t have the same mission as Jesus did. He alone had the power and was foreordained to work out the infinite and perfect atonement for all.

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: SON OF GOD

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God.

--Hebrews 4:14

Jesus was the great high priest of the high priestly order. He is the Son of God the Father, and the Only Begotten Son of God in the flesh. Jesus is the Great I AM, for He is is the Savior and Redeemer of the world. He is the Light and life of the world. He is the light that lighteth every man who cometh into the world. There is no other besides Him. His name is the only name whereby man can be saved and gain eternal life.

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.

JESUS CHRIST: FIRSTFRUITS OF THE RESURRECTION

“Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel.”

--2 Timothy 2:8

The Apostle Paul testifies that Jesus, the Christ, rose from the dead. This doctrine was contained in the gospel of Jesus Christ, within the church that Jesus established during his mortal ministry. The doctrine of Jesus’ resurrection is universal, for it is true. Jesus became the firstfruits of them that slept. “For as in Adam, all die; even so in Christ shall all be made alive” (see 1 Cor. 15:21-22) Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live” (see John 11:25). Jesus bore His own testimony about His resurrection. Resurrection is when one’s spirit and body unite once again into a resurrected body, a body of flesh, bone, and spirit, having no blood. Blood is only for a mortal body and means life.

JESUS CHRIST: NAME ABOVE EVERY NAME

Jesus Christ is Lord

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The name of Jesus, who is the Christ, is above all other names because of who He was and is. He is our Advocate with the Father, who pleads our cause daily. Everyone should bow down to Him in humble adoration and gratitude for His infinite atoning sacrifice. Because of Him all will be resurrected and live forever. Jesus suffered, bled, died, and was resurrected for us. He is our Savior and redeemer. Jesus alone is the true Messiah for there is no other.