I was recently asked by a man why Jesus Christ was needed as a "Mediator" between ourselves and God. It is a very profound question if you really think about it. Some might say that it is foolish to ask, but really, could you ask for a more sincere and soul searching question?
So why do we need Jesus Christ as our "mediator"? I don't think that anyone can truly understand the answer to that question without experiencing certain things in life. I've written a few blogs on the subject of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. ("Deliverence"& "Forgiveness- What's most Important") The reason being really to help others uderstand the answer to this very question. There are things in this life, trials, struggles, temptations, and afflictions, that we will all have to experience. Why do we need Christ? He is the only true source of strength that can help us to endure these trials not only to the end of them, but also to endure them well.
I would like to share a few scriptures that probably explain these things better then I do. In the Book of Mormon we read of a group of people who experienced for themselves the power that the Lord gives to those enduring trials who seek His Divine help.
"11 And Amulon commanded them that they should stop their cries; and he put guards over them to watch them, that whosoever should be found calling upon God should be put to death.
12 And Alma and his people did not raise their voices to the Lord their God, but did pour out their hearts to him; and he did know the thoughts of their hearts.
13 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage.
14 And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.
15 And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.
16 And it came to pass that so great was their faith and their patience that the voice of the Lord came unto them again, saying: Be of good comfort, for on the morrow I will deliver you out of bondage..." - Mosiah 24:11-16
How does the Savior make this offer of strength possible? It is all made possible through the Suffering that He endured on our behalf. Jesus Christ went through more pain, anguish, heartache, and suffering then any of us are even capable of imagining, let alone actaully enduring ourselves. We read of just some of the things that he took upon himself for our behalf in the book of Alma in the Book of Mormon.
" 11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
So why do we need Jesus Christ as our "mediator"? I don't think that anyone can truly understand the answer to that question without experiencing certain things in life. I've written a few blogs on the subject of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. ("Deliverence"& "Forgiveness- What's most Important") The reason being really to help others uderstand the answer to this very question. There are things in this life, trials, struggles, temptations, and afflictions, that we will all have to experience. Why do we need Christ? He is the only true source of strength that can help us to endure these trials not only to the end of them, but also to endure them well.
I would like to share a few scriptures that probably explain these things better then I do. In the Book of Mormon we read of a group of people who experienced for themselves the power that the Lord gives to those enduring trials who seek His Divine help.
"11 And Amulon commanded them that they should stop their cries; and he put guards over them to watch them, that whosoever should be found calling upon God should be put to death.
12 And Alma and his people did not raise their voices to the Lord their God, but did pour out their hearts to him; and he did know the thoughts of their hearts.
13 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage.
14 And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.
15 And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.
16 And it came to pass that so great was their faith and their patience that the voice of the Lord came unto them again, saying: Be of good comfort, for on the morrow I will deliver you out of bondage..." - Mosiah 24:11-16
How does the Savior make this offer of strength possible? It is all made possible through the Suffering that He endured on our behalf. Jesus Christ went through more pain, anguish, heartache, and suffering then any of us are even capable of imagining, let alone actaully enduring ourselves. We read of just some of the things that he took upon himself for our behalf in the book of Alma in the Book of Mormon.
" 11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor [run to] his people according to their infirmities." - Alma 7:11-12
I love the power and the love exibited in the word "succor". It brings me comfort to know that the Lord suffered beyond the measure of pain so that He may run to and aid me according to my circumstances in my times of need. That is why He is so important. He is our mediator and advocate with the Father because without Him we could not repent of our sins, and therefor we could not return to the presence of our Father and dwell in the kingdom of God.
The following is an exerpt from the testimony of an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is in fact one of my favorite Apostles to hear speak, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. For any of you who are readers of my past blogs you may recognize his voice. I hope that all of you take the time to listen to this mans powerful testimony of the sacrifice made by our Savior Jesus Christ, in an hour when he stood alone so that we would never have to.
4 Saying: Father, behold the sufferings and death of him who did no sin, in whom thou wast well pleased; behold the blood of thy Son which was shed, the blood of him whom thou gavest that thyself might be glorified;
5 Wherefore, Father, spare these my brethren that believe on my name, that they may come unto me and have everlasting life." - Doctrine and Covenants 45:3-5
