Our God With Perfect Empathy

Have you ever looked into heaven and said, "Nobody knows what I am going through? Nobody knows the pain.  Nobody knows the sorrow."  Times of extreme trial can feel very lonely.

When Alma taught in the settlements of Gideon and Melek, the people flocked to him, listened, and believed.  He spoke to them messianically as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and other Old Testament prophets spoke.  Here are a few of his words:

Behold, I do not say that he will come among us [the Nephites] at the time of his dwelling in his mortal tabernacle; for behold, the Spirit hath not said unto me that this should be the case. Now as to this thing I do not know; but this much I do know, that the Lord God hath power to do all things which are according to his word.  But behold, the Spirit hath said this much unto me, saying: Cry unto this people, saying—Repent ye, and prepare the way of the Lord, and walk in his paths, which are straight; for behold, the kingdom of heaven is at hand, and the Son of God cometh upon the face of the earth.

And behold, he shall be born of . . .  a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceive by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God.

 

And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities (Alma 7: 8-12)

 

We often speak of the reasons Christ was tempted, suffered, died, and was resurrected, but we frequently forget this important reason: so that He will know the infirmities of the flesh and can therefore comfort us with perfect empathy!

 

Paul told the Hebrews the same thing when he wrote:

 

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4: 15-16)

 

No one of us can rail against heaven and say, "You don't understand!"  He does!

 

Text copyright September 2013, Gebara Education

 

Pictures:

Poster from Facebook

Alma preaching from www.lds.org

Mary and Jesus from www.thefamily.com

Jesus resurrection from www.lds.org

Jesus as High Priest at the Throne of Grace from www.myhwntv.com