THE HEALING POWER OF THE ATONEMENT OF JESUS CHRIST
It is wonderful: Every Easter Sunday, even more than other Sundays, millions gather all over the world to testify of Jesus Christ and his Atonement for us. In the Bible God, through his prophets, has taught us that we are his children—he is the Father of our spirits—and the experience of this life is the way for us to be tested, and grow in faith, to return to live with him forever. However, “No unclean thing can dwell in his presence”, and it is inevitable that “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God”. But the scriptures offer hope, through the Atonement of Jesus Christ: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life”. Jesus himself testified, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one cometh to the Father but by me.” I am in reverent awe of Jesus—of his power certainly; but even more of his perfection in living a life free of sin, and of his infinite love for us, which he proved by his infinite sacrifice.
We can talk of his Atonement and read scriptures of his Atonement but, more than any other doctrine, it is just words unless we have the Spirit of God to testify to us—deep into our souls—the truth and power of his sacrifice. As mortals, we cannot even begin to comprehend the unspeakable agony he endured for us. I think it is helpful to try, however, to try to gain a sense of his character and of his great love for us.
Our own suffering can give us some feeling for what Jesus suffered. Three times in my life I have experienced emotional agony so intense it felt as if my chest was literally being crushed in a vise. I could hardly breathe against the pain. For days it continued—and it would not stop. Many have suffered far more than I, but all that we as humans can suffer is nothing to what Jesus experienced. Describing his Atonement, Jesus himself said, “For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I; Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, to bleed at every pore, to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup and shrink—Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook…”
Jesus knew his mission, and he knew when his time had come. On the last night of his mortal life, in Gethsemane, Jesus declared, “My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death!” He fell on his face in prayer, in such anguish that even knowing what he faced he was “sore amazed” and cried out, “Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but as thou wilt”. Tears streaming down his face, sweating blood at every pore, and wracked with physical, emotional, and spiritual agony, he took all the punishment of all sin, and all the torment of all pain upon his innocent soul. For some 3 or four hours it continued, and he did not yield…
Around 9:00 the following morning, on Calvary, Jesus was nailed to the cross, as the chief priests, scribes, and others mocked and jeered. At noon the skies grew black, the earth was covered in thick darkness, and for 3 more hours Jesus again suffered, for us, all the tortures of Gethsemane. He cried out in agony, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me!” Finally, he exclaimed triumphantly, “It is finished!… Father into thy hands I commend my spirit”. The earth shook and the veil of the temple was rent, as he gave up his life to merciful, and victorious, death.
On the 3rd day, crowning his Atonement, he rose from the tomb, a resurrected and glorified being! To his disciples, the risen Lord said, “Touch me and see. A spirit hath not flesh and bone as ye see me have”. Several days later, as those same disciples watched, he ascended into heaven, with the promise that one day he would return in glory.
Jesus suffered beyond anything for you—it was the greatest act of love ever known. My son Brett told me he began to understand the Atonement the first time he passed the Sacrament. He was alone, and did not know how to fill all the cups, so he did it one at a time: Turn on the water, fill the cup, put it in the tray, turn on the water, fill the cup, put it in the tray, turn on the water… And the Spirit testified to him that that is how Jesus performed the Atonement—one at a time, individually, for each of us. Jesus knows you, he loves you personally—you are individually precious to him. A Patriarch, speaking to a congregation, said, “As you came in, the veil was lifted from my eyes, and I saw who you really are. I felt nearly compelled to bow before you!” That is the nobility Jesus sees in you.
Through the Healing Power of his Atonement, and through his infinite grace and love for you, Jesus will:
First: Resurrect you. The condition for that great gift? There is none: Paul said, “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ shall all be made alive”.
Second: Save and exalt you. The condition? You must follow his Gospel. Will you choose to obey him? Will you choose: Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, the Gift of the Holy Ghost and other ordinances of exaltation? Will you choose to endure to the end in obedience and faith? Each is imperative—are you willing to pay the price?
If you will follow him, then, as was promised: “Though thy sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow”… “[H]e who hath repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more. By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins—Behold, he will confess and forsake them”… “[A]nd if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ…” Peter counseled, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you…”
What does Jesus offer you? Paul said, “Know ye not that ye are the children of God; and as children, heirs, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ”. Joint heirs! All the Father promised to Jesus he promises to us, if we will faithfully follow Christ and be perfected in him. “Eye hath not seen nor ear heard, nor yet entered into the hearts of man the things God has prepared for those that love him”. Is it worth the price to you?
And so, through the power of his Atonement, Jesus will resurrect you, save and exalt you and, Third, he will heal all your deepest wounds. The condition? Simply, with humility, and through his Gospel, lay them at his feet. As A.A. says, “Let go, and let God”. Jesus not only suffered the penalty of all your sins, he experienced your every pain: Isaiah said, “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows… and Matthew added, “He took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.” Our Lord encourages us: “[A]ll these things shall give thee experience and be for thy good…The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he? [F]ear not what man can do, God shall be with you forever.”
Do you trust him? Do you trust him in faith? Will you “Let go, and let God”? At times, often the very worst of times, I have felt my chest swell to bursting with gratitude to him. Those times are sweet. They are the times I have felt closest to him; the times I have felt most whole.
Some have suffered traumas so terrible we wonder how they can ever be healed—even eternity seems hardly long enough. Caring people, like friends and psychologists, try their best to help, but in many cases there are no real answers. The only answer is Jesus. His power and grace are infinite: They fill the universe; they can fill an infinite abyss—no wound is too deep for his healing power. He who performed the many wonderful healing miracles of the New Testament can heal your scarred and broken soul. Through his Atonement, he knows your pain because he has experienced your pain, he knows what you need to be healed. Simply—on his terms—humbly, patiently, and through his Gospel, come to him.
Jesus’s love for you is infinite; he proved it thru his terrible sacrifice. His healing power is infinite; he gained it thru that sacrifice. Everything he does is to lift and to heal us: to develop our faith, to purge our sins, to erase our pain, to perfect us, to offer us immortality, eternal life, and eternal joy. This is his Church: it has his Priesthood, his prophet, and the very fullness of his Gospel. Through his Spirit, I know it. The scriptures prophesy there will come a day when “Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ”. When Jesus last came, he submitted himself to be scourged and spit upon and crucified. Many believe that when he comes the second time, in glory and in power, all mankind will be forced to recognize him and to bow before him. God will force no one. When the world finally understands the terrible fate from which he saved them, and just how much he loves them and did for them, nothing will keep them—or us—from falling to our knees in love and gratitude. I look forward to that day! If I may adapt the words of Joseph Smith: After all the testimonies given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, I give of him: He lives! In my darkest trials I have heard his voice. He has made promises to me no power of earth could fulfill—and he has kept his promises. I am grateful, and will eternally be grateful, for his love to me, to my family, whom I love far beyond life, and to all mankind. All eternity will forever praise his name!