There is a problem created by mortal death. This death demands a separation of our spiritual bodies from our physical bodies. However, Heavenly Father has a completed soul, which includes the union of an immortal physical body and the spiritual body. This means the separation of our physical body from our spiritual body prevents us from becoming like Heavenly Father. Yet that is the purpose of the plan He presented in the Premortal Existence.
There was a solution to this problem. Somebody had to die, suffering the separation of the physical and spiritual bodies, then live again by reuniting the two. Only a mortal person with divine power could do such a thing. There has been only one mortal person holding divine power: Jesus Christ.
Jesus chose to fulfill this requirement in order to break the bands of death and allow us to live like Heavenly Father. He suffered persecution at the hands of the government and allowed Himself to be tried by mortal laws. Knowing these laws could not condemn Him if He spoke out in His own defense, He held silent. Yet Pilate still found Jesus guiltless, stating, “I find in him no fault at all.”
Still the people refused to release the Guiltless One, choosing to free Barabbus the murderer instead. Jesus was condemned to be crucified. Having divine power Jesus could have freed Himself at any time. Nevertheless, He submitted to the will of His Heavenly Father. He carried His cross as far as He could. He allowed nails to be driven into His hands, wrists, ankles, and feet. He suffered hanging on a cross between two thieves on Golgotha. And through this entire process He suffered ridicule and scorn at the hands of His executors, and then pleaded with Heavenly Father for them, crying, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
Then the hour came when Jesus had fulfilled the demands for suffering and atonement. It was time for Him to die. Yet He could only die by choosing to give up life, for His divine power would allow none to take it from Him. So it was that Jesus cried out, “It is finished”, and, “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.” Then He willingly gave up His life and died.
This is a very touching series of events. If you study the four separate accounts of these events, you will notice that Jesus focused on the needs of those around Him throughout the entire process. He suffered the humiliation, the pain, and the death required for others. He could have chosen to free Himself from the heavy demands at anytime. He had the power. But He chose to endure it all in order to fulfill the demands of justice so He could grant us mercy.
Is it really any wonder that we can place our faith in Him? Is it any wonder that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and other Christian churches love and revere the Guiltless One? Is it any wonder that truly pondering upon the sacrifices willingly made by Jesus Christ on behalf of all of us is enough to bring tears to the eyes of the strongest of men?
The next blog entry will focus on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the meantime let me testify that I know Jesus Christ does live again as a resurrected and perfect being. I know He sacrificed Himself for us in order to be resurrected and free us from the bands of death and the chains of sin. I know He loves us and that we should love Him. And I know that the biggest tragedy to ever occur in this world happens anytime somebody willingly rejects the heavy sacrifices Jesus made for them.
Don’t forsake the sacrifices Jesus made for you. They were a heavy burden, but He carried them so you wouldn’t have to do so yourself. Make that sacrifice worth something.
Scriptures used in this entry:
Genesis 2-3
Matthew 26-28
Mark 14-16
Luke 22-24
John 18-21
Moses 4
Abraham 5
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