He was Wounded for our Transgressions
Two thousand years ago, outside of Jerusalem’s walls, there was a Garden called Gethsemane. Jesus and his close friends had retired there often to ponder and pray. There Jesus taught his disciples the doctrines of the gospel and they communed with the Father in who’s ministry they were engaged. This sacred spot is not much different from Calvary, where he gave his life as a ransom for all that would believe on his name. This is where Son of the Eternal Father took upon himself the sins of all men who would repent and believe on His holy name.
We do not know, nor can we tell what pain he had to bear or what he suffered for us there. We know he sweat great drops of “blood from every poor” because of “his anguish for the wickedness of his people.” We know that he suffered both body and spirit “even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death.” (Mosiah 3:7) We know that the pain caused him, “even God, the greatest of them all, to tremble because of pain.” We know that his pain was so great that an angel was sent to bear him up. But most of all we know that in some way his suffering settled the demands of justice placed on each of our souls, and gives mercy to those who will believe on his holy name.
After this, his body already having been drained of strength, he confronted Judas and the other devilish men, some of which who where from the great Sanhedrin. He was then lead away with a rope around his neck as a common criminal to be judged by the true criminals who as Jews sat in the Moses' seat and who as Romans used Caesar’s power. He was accused cursed and smitten. Their foul spit ran down his face as their continuing blows further weakened his pained body. Blood ran down his face as a crown of thorns pierced the head of Jehovah himself. But above it all, he was scourged with a multi-thonged whip, thirty-nine times, that had sharp bones and sharp metal woven into the leather. Few mortal men ever lived after scourging alone, but he arose from it that he might die a terrible death upon the cross.
He then carried his own cross until he collapsed from the weight and building agony of it all. Once he made it to the hill of Calvary, the Roman soldiers laid him upon the cross. Jesus’ helpless disciples were, no doubt, looking in pain. With great force they drove iron spikes through his feet, hands, and wrists. Then the cross was raised that all might see the Eternal King of the Jews bruised broken and torn.
Truly, “He is despised and rejected of men. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5-6)
The sky drew black, and darkness covered the earth. There was a mighty storm as though the very God of nature was in agony, and surely he was. While on the cross, all the agonies of Gethsemane and more reoccurred. But Jesus endured for us. The victory had been won. The Son of God had fulfilled the will of God the Father in all things. He then said “It is finished” and passed on to the Paradise of God. After he had offered his soul as an offering for sin, he went to impart his love to those who had followed him long on the earth long before he ever walked in mortality.
Three days later, because he is the Only Begotten Son of God, he took up that body which he had occupied during his mortal life, and rose in immortality. “O Death, where is thy sting? O Grave, where is thy victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:55) “Love’s redeeming work is done, Fought the fight, the victory won, Jesus’ agony is o’er, Darkness veils the earth no more!” (LDS Hymns # 200) He became exactly as his resurrected exalted Father. He received all power in Heaven and on Earth from him.
He appeared to Mary Magdalene and many others, commissioned them to preach the gospel to all creatures, and then ascended into Heaven. He sat down on the right hand of his Father to reign in eternal glory. Of his exaltation he has said, “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.”(Revelations 3:21)
It has been, since the beginning of time—even before the foundations of the world were laid—the testimony of all saints and prophets that Jesus Christ lives. As Jacob said it, “Behold, I say unto you that none of the prophets have written, nor prophesied, save they have spoken concerning Christ.” (Jacob 7:11) Jesus said to the Nephites, “Verily I say unto you...all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have testified of me.” (3 Nephi 10:24) Job declared: “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God” (Job 19:25-26). Of Abraham, Jesus said “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it and was glad.” All true prophets have borne everlasting testimony of the divinity of Jesus, the Messiah.
God, in his infinite grace, has seen fit for us to have living prophets in this day and age. Jesus Christ has not hid his face from the eyes of those who follow him. No surer testimony of the living Christ can be offered than one like the Prophet Joseph’s. On February 16, 1832 the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ appeared to him and his companion, Sidney Rigdon.
The following is recorded in Doctrine and Covenants section 76: “We, Joseph Smith, Jun., and Sidney Rigdon…bear record;” that “we beheld the glory of the Son, on the right hand of the Father, and received of his fullness…And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God.”
Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon had a sure knowledge that Jesus Christ lives. They saw Him with God the Father! They heard God bear record of Jesus as his Only Begotten Son! I testify, that as all true prophets bear testimony of Christ, so did Joseph Smith. He is the prophet of this dispensation. Christ is the Head of this and all dispensations. All things revolve around Jesus Christ and his teachings, suffering, atonement, resurrection, and exaltation. He taught us, suffered and atoned for our sins, rose over the grave triumphantly, and now sits on the right hand of God still directing us and leading us back to the presence of his Father. He stands beckoning, “I have overcome. I drank all my Father placed before me, and I know you can do it too.” It is my testimony that Jesus Christ lives. No man can go to the Father but through him. I’m so very thankful for what he has done for me. I pray that I may be worthy of his never—ending love in his name, our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, amen.
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