Verses 1-7
The voice of the Father introduces His son.
Interestingly, they felt the voice of the Father "pierce them to the very soul", but they could not understand until they actively tuned in. The voice spoke 3 times and not until the third time when they opened their ears to hear it, and their eyes were towards the sound thereof, and they did look steadfastly towards heaven, did they understand the words. With the atonement of Christ and salvation, it is the same. The gaining of knowledge (the spiritual knowledge that fuels our progression) runs two ways: Christ teaches through the Spirit and we receive, but far from passively.
Lesson for me?
*I must earnestly engage every faculty available to me, to seek to receive and understand this knowledge.
Verses 8-12
Christ descends, introduces Himself, and the people acknowledge Him.
Christ announces that He has glorified the Father in taking upon Him the sins of the world.
How did Christ's atonement glorify the Father? Moses 1:39 says that the Father's work and glory is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. Given that the atonement is the only way to accomplish this, He has undoubtedly glorified the Father and "suffered His will" by helping to fulfill His mission. Jesus is announcing here His perfect obedience to His Father.
Lesson for me?
*Trust- as Jesus did. Don't "rational lies" away a poor choice because a better one feels inconvenient, uncomfortable or difficult. Press forward in your Savior's footsteps, partaking in whatever bitter cups mark the path. Don't swerve away from them. That is self-inflicted damnation/stagnation. This is not to say seek out difficulties, but rather seek out opportunities to glorify the Father and partake of any attendant difficulties, knowing that it will all be worth it.
Verses 13-17
Multitude invited to examine Christ's death wounds. They do so, and praise Him.
Book of Mormon scholars have estimated that approximately 2,500 people were present at that time. And yet the Savior offered each and all the opportunity to see and feel the evidences of His sacrifice for themselves. This speaks to the very personal and individual nature of the atonement. It's as if He has a moment with each person as they examine His wounds in which His heart tells theirs: "I went through this for you because I love you". "I did this for you because I love you more than I love my own body".
Lesson for me?
*Remember the image of the Savior patiently interacting with each member of the crowd. You are one of them. You are His covenant daughter. He atoned to save you. Remember His love.
Verses 18-27
The Savior calls Nephi and others, giving them power to baptize and teaching them how.
The act of baptism can point our minds to the atonement because it gives baptism its power. Baptism could not cleanse us without it. The Lord imparts His cleansing authority to His servants on earth (to multiply His work as well as to further His servants along the path of gaining all that He hath.
Why are all three members of the Godhead named aloud during the ordinance of baptism?
As Jesus goes on to mention, they are all three one. So what's the purpose of mentioning them all? Perhaps this emphasizes the unity the three persons have achieved, and invites us to strive for the same degree of unity with our brothers and sisters in the gospel (newly gained through the baptismal covenant)? It also points to the limitless power now supporting us on our path of discipleship- all are one, and all are an indispensable part of the lifelong spiritual maturation that baptism begins.
So by undergoing the atonement, the Savior not only glorified the Father, but the Holy Spirit as well, given that they are one in mission.
Lesson for me?
*It is a beautiful and encouraging thing to learn of the direct link of the Savior to gospel ordinances and priesthood authority. Remember how the Savior bestowed this authority directly and how He instructed the procedure of baptism. Believe that these procedures are an inseparable part of His saving work. Remember the power of these covenants as well as your temple covenants. These are the very bones of your salvation.
Verses 28-30
The Savior makes clear that we should accept His authority and not argue with one another about how to proceed with the ordinance of baptism or other points of doctrine. It is the devil who stirs up the hearts of men to contend with anger one against another.
What does this section teach me about the atonement?
The atonement is meant to ameliorate all of the destructive, divisive, alienating work of the devil- all warfare- including that of the heart. (We know some warfare to be righteous, but that implies evil to war against, so it still applies.) The atonement conquered all of this by love (I am in tears as I write this.)
The most beautiful act in the history of the universe- the creative act of an artist: turning disparate elements toward a unified whole.
What is the lesson for me?
*Summer, generally speaking, when you feel enmity, annoyance, separateness, pride, any self-pity that accuses others, anger, resentment, probably fear as well (the list could go on), then you may know that the devil is "even now hard at your heels 😏", attached to you like an awful, invisible, life-sucking parasite- worse than a parasite because it works at your Spirit. At these moments, plead for deliverance from your enemy and to be once again enfolded in the arms of the Savior's love- the love which unifies, constructs and creates, whereas the devil divides, conquers and destroys.
Verses 31-41
Christ declares His doctrine: repentance and baptism.
What does this teach me about the atonement?
It's very simple, really. We acknowledge our belief in Him through baptism: a symbolic cleansing and rebirth. Then, we just keep repenting and believing. This entire program centers around the atonement: the only means for purification- the cleansing of all sin for whoever chooses to lay claim on it- the very paving stones on our path to Godhood- a path which, without the atonement would cease to exist.
What lesson for me?
*In addition to repentance and baptism, the Savior declares more than once the injunction to "become as a little child".
What does this really mean for me?
I believe it means that I must stay open to learning. I need to take the attitude of a beginner in all things spiritual. I must remain teachable rather than damning myself by resisting instruction. This childlike openness is essential to repentance. Without it, I may not see my error and my need to repent.
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