“Behold the Man”

We had a lesson today in church that really stuck with me. It’s resonated with me and has made me do some deep down soul searching. The talk I’ll be referencing and talking about was given in our 2018 April general conference given by Dieter F Uchtdorf entitled, “Behold the Man”.

You guys are brother Jesus Christ is incredible. The most significant day we’ve ever seen was that day 2000 years ago where Jesus Christ bore our sins, hung on the cross, died and resurrected for all of us. For me individually. He died for me , and he died for you. 

One part of this that really stuck with me was thinking about the fact that even if we choose not to acknowledge or don’t really want to partake in repenting for our sins, it doesn’t matter. Jesus already paid the sins. He paid the sins knowing that we may not fully accept or follow his teachings. I found myself trying to really grasping that concept. That’s like me baking cookies for everyone and if you choose not to partake in it, I already have baked the cookies so they will almost just go to waste. 

Pause. Reflect on that. Do i really want to waste my older Brother Jesus Christ’s’ sacrifice by not repenting or by not acknowledging this incredible sacrifice that he gave to each and every one of us. Does he cross our mind on a daily basis or is our mind to caught up in the latest gossip, newest debate on Facebook, etc. I’m guilty. And that’s why I think this lesson was so important for me to here and I hope that I will be able to improve every single day

Elder Uchtdorf states,

“In spite of all this, there are many in the world today who are either not aware of or do not believe in the precious gift Jesus Christ has given us. They may have heard of Jesus Christ and know of Him as a historical figure, but they do not see Him for who He truly is”

I encourage you to take a step back and really analyze your life. Is Jesus Christ a historical figure to you? Or is he your older brother? Is he the prince of peace? Do you recognize him for the incredible sacrifice that he gave to each and every one of us? 

In our lives do we “behold the man?” Do we soak it all in, or do we just touch the brim. Has there ever been a time in your life where you beheld the man? Where you felt his loving arms around you? Where you felt his love for you so deeply? 

When I was going through my divorce I felt like the biggest failure. I felt like I failed myself, my covenants with my Heavenly Father, my family, my friends, people around me, I had failed. I would cry at the thought of having to tell Hunter one day what happened. I would cry feeling like I let so many people down. The only comfort I could find is when I was on my knees praying to my Savior. 

It was as if he spoke to me and said, “you have not failed anyone, I love you, you only followed my plan for you, you have not failed because you listened to my guidance”.  It was then that I felt my Saviors love, all of it. I felt his love for me extend to a capacity I didn’t know exist. I knew that I did not fail him. 

It was then that I felt like I truly “beheld the man” I soaked in all of his love. I felt his loving arms around me. 

You guys Jesus Christ is not only my older brother but he’s yours. He died on that cross for you, he bore all the sins in Gethsemane, he bled from every pore, he knows you by name. He loves you and he can’t wait to physically hold us in his arms and protect us and comfort us. He’s not a historical figure, he’s my older brother. 

“So, when you are encompassed by sorrows and grief, behold the Man.

When you feel lost or forgotten, behold the Man.

When you are despairing, deserted, doubting, damaged, or defeated, behold the Man.

He will comfort you.

He will heal you and give meaning to your journey. He will pour out His Spirit and fill your heart with exceeding joy.

He gives “power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.”

“I testify that the most important day in the history of mankind was the day when Jesus Christ, the living Son of God, won the victory over death and sin for all of God’s children. And the most important day in your life and mine is the day when we learn to “behold the man”; when we see Him for who He truly is; when we partake with all our heart and mind of His atoning power; when with renewed enthusiasm and strength, we commit to follow Him. May that be a day that recurs over and over again throughout our lives.”

Jesus climbed the hill to the garden still.

His steps were heavy and slow.

Love and a prayer took Him there

To the place only He could go.

Gethsemane. Jesus loves me,

So He went willingly to Gethsemane.

He felt all that was sad, wicked, or bad,

All the pain we would ever know.

While His friends were asleep, He fought to keep

His promise made long ago.

Gethsemane. Jesus loves me,

So He went willingly to Gethsemane.

The hardest thing that ever was done,

The greatest pain that ever was known,

The biggest battle that ever was won—

This was done by Jesus!

The fight was won by Jesus!

Gethsemane. Jesus loves me,

So He gave His gift to me in Gethsemane.

Gethsemane. Jesus loves me,

So He gives His gift to me from Gethsemane.

If you feel lost, broken or torn please get on your knees and pray. Pray to feel his love and I can say without a shadow of a doubt he will wrap his loving arms around you ❤️

-Jay