He is Risen: The Light and the Life of the World

This week in my personal scripture study, I was contemplating the life and resurrection of Jesus Christ when I remembered a scripture from Abinidi's sermon.  He stated:

"And if Christ had not come into the world (speaking of things to come as though they had already come) there could have been no redemption.  And if Christ had not risen from the dead or have broken the bands of death, that the grave should have no victory, and that death shall have no sting, there could have been no resurrection."

"But there is a resurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ.  He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, and shall never be darkened, and also a life that is endless, that there can be no more death." (Mosiah 16:6-9).

I love this scripture and the power it brings.  Because of Christ's Atonement, I know that I can be reunited with the ones I love and live with them again after I die.  Because of what He did for me, there is hope for a better future, and I can rise up and become better.  If we turn to Christ, there is no loss; no struggle; no suffering that we have to endure that will not be made up.

I invite you to ponder Christ's sacrifice and triumph not only this Easter but throughout the week.  Remember when you are going through your difficult trials that as difficult as they seem right now; as painful or strenuous or hopeless as they may seem, if we turn to Christ, everything will work out for our good, and no loss can be permanent.


References:

• https://www.lds.org/media-library/images/jesus-christ-39623?lang=eng

"His Judgments are Just: Accepting Christ's Mercy

Yesterday during my scripture study, I was studying the account in the Book of Mormon where the prophet Abinidi prophesies of the sufferings, death, and ultimate triumph of Christ over death, and then invites those who threaten to kill him to return to Christ and receive His mercy.  As I read, Mosiah 16:1 stood out to me.  In it, Abinidi declared:

"The time shall come when all shall see the salvation of the Lord; when every nation, kindred, tongue, and people shall see eye to eye and shall confess before God that His judgments are just."

As I read, I imagined what it would be like to be there when Christ comes again; to kneel at his feet; to feel the Savior's embrace, and to have all people come to know the Savior.

I was especially struck by how Abinidi prophesies that after the people "see the salvation of the Lord", they will all declare that "God's judgments are just."  I realized that one reason why God can be perfectly just, as well as merciful, is because of Jesus Christ and the salvation he brought through His Atonement.  We all suffer pain and heartache in this life.  People are unkind and often cruel.  In addition, many suffer from natural disasters, the loss of loved ones, abuse, physical or mental illness, or other difficult circumstances.  To some, even to me sometimes, it can seem that life is very unfair.

However, because Jesus Christ suffered, died, and triumphed over death, he understands us perfectly and can help us to rise above every challenge or obstacle.  We don't need to "weep", "wail", or languish in self-pity;  through Jesus Christ, no matter what our struggle, whether a difficult exam or an excruciating trial, we can have faith that when we see all that Christ has done for us and all that he can yet do for us, we can find strength and with joy can one day say, "his judgments are just."

"Follow thou Me"

This week, I have been reading in the Gospel of John in my New Testament Class.  One of the insights that stuck out to me was when Jesus was talking with Peter after His Resurrection.  He asks Peter three times: "Lovest thou me?", and after Peter responds in the affirmative, Jesus says, "Feed My Sheep", inviting Him to care for his brothers and sisters and bring them unto Christ. (John 21:15-17).

Less well known is the conversation that takes place afterward.  Jesus prophesies of Peter's coming martyrdom, and tells Peter: "Follow me."  In this way, Peter is given a glimpse of the sacrifices he would make for Christ and what Christ expected of him.  However, at that moment, Peter notices John, and remembering the love that Christ had shown John, asked Jesus: "Lord, and what shall this man do?" (vs. 21) In other words, Peter was essentially trying to compare his work, calling, and responsibility with John's.

Jesus responds with a gentle rebuke: "If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? Follow thou me." (vs. 22).

Although we often focus on this scripture as a witness of John the Revelator's ongoing mission on earth, in context, it also can teach us about how we should respond to callings and responsibilities in the church.

So often, it is easy to compare our callings, our blessings, or our opportunities with those of others.  We ask, "But what about them?"  We look to those who have more prominent callings such as "Elder's Quorum President", "Relief Society President", or "Zone Leader".  I know that many times, I have compared my calling or my present life experiences with those of others, but the more I do that, I just become resentful and feel self-pity.

It seems like Peter may have felt this way.  Because Peter knew John's close relationship with the Master, and especially if he had somehow heard about John's future transfiguration, it would be easy to feel less important or to want to compare his blessings or role with John's.   However, in this scripture, Jesus invites Peter to turn from others and look to Him.  It didn't matter to Peter what John's role would be.  He was just expected to follow Christ.

Similarly, it doesn't matter what blessings that others are receiving.  The gospel is between us and Him, and if we are doing all we can to follow Him, that is all that He expects of us.   We each have a role to play in Christ's work, and our joy and growth will come from our efforts to do what he has asked of us and to appreciate the opportunities that he has given us, not from how our efforts or blessings compare with other people.  Just as Jesus redirected Peter's focus towards Himself, as we let go of our need to compare ourselves with others and look to Christ for direction and strength, He can make us the people that he wants us to be.

I invite each of you (as well as myself) to study the talks from General Conference when they come out and ponder on how you can better look to Christ and fulfill His role for you.  I know that as we do so, He can help us to strengthen our relationships with Him and to know what He wants us to do.

Have a great week!