A to Z challenge….. R is for Redeemer and Resurrection

The Christian world just celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

We joined together with our daughter Mindy and her family to attend church and worship. The beautiful music and talks we heard during the Easter program touched my heart.

With these thoughts fresh in my mind, my choice for

my R post is  Redeemer and Resurrection

Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer.

Richard G. Scott , one of our church leaders, expressed the feelings of Easter better than I can. He said …

“Easter is that sacred season when the heart of each devout Christian turns in humble gratitude to our beloved Savior.  It is a season that should bring peace and joy to all who love Him and show it by obeying His commandments.””Easter brings thoughts of Jesus, His life, His Atonement, His Resurrection, His Love.”

“This Easter, as you remember the resurrection and the price paid and the gift given through the atonement, ponder what the scriptures teach of those sacred events. Your personal witness of their reality will be strengthened.”

I have tried to take Elder Scott’s advice this Easter season by reading scriptures about Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection.  There are many to choose from.

In the Old Testament in Job 19 we read “I know that my Redeemer lives and He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth”

We have a hymn that uses Job’s text and says “ I know that my Redeemer lives. What comfort that sweet sentence gives.”  I am thankful that I know that He lives. Like the hymn says, it is a great comfort. It means everything to me.

In the New Testament, in John 11:25,  Jesus told Martha  "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.”

  In the 24th chapter of Luke  angels announce the resurrection of Christ after his death.  Romans 5 tells us that man is justified through the blood of Christ. Adam fell and Christ atoned that man might be saved.  That makes Jesus our Redeemer. He redeemed us from the fall of Adam. By taking our sins upon himself He satisfied the demands of justice and made it possible for us to repent and inherit eternal life. We will all be resurrected because Jesus broke the bands of death.

In Mosiah chapters 15 and 16  in the Book of Mormon, which is another testament of Christ, Abinadi tells us that after Christ is crucified He will break the bands of death, having gained victory over death and giving Jesus power to make intercession for the children of men.  In 15: 11 Abinadi tells us that all the holy prophets have prophesied concerning the coming of the Lord. In 16:8 Abinadi tells us “…There is a resurrection therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ.”

Today in church, my grand daughter Claire sang “I stand all Amazed” by Charles Gabriel. I love that hymn. The first verse says…

I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me.

Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me.

I tremble to know that for me he was crucified,

That for me a sinner, he suffered, he bled and died.

The third verse says…

I think of his hands pierced and bleeding to pay the debt!

Such mercy, such love and devotion can I forget?

No, no, I will praise and adore at the mercy seat,

Until at the glorified throne I kneel at his feet.

Chorus..

Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me enough to die for me.

Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me.

I do stand all amazed when I think of my Redeemer and his Resurrection.  I believe that He lives and loves us… and ….through Him, all mankind is saved from the bands of death.

Hugs, Lura