Perhaps the most well known scripture and most quoted scripture through out the world is found in the book of John, many of you have already had it pop in your head. John 3:16states: “ 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.” These 25 words have been referred to by many religions as “the gospel in a nutshell” or Martin Luther called it the “miniature gospel.” So exactly what does this verse mean to you? For some it refers to the ATONEMENT of Christ and for the others RESURRECTION, that all may live again.
As much as I love to talk, speaking at church is not one of those occasions, nor is one that I excel at as my husband does. To me, a holiday makes it more difficult and not just any holiday but the holiday that merely focuses on the life, death, and resurrection of the Savior. Easter is a time to solemnly reflect and rejoice that He LIVES still. This week as I have pondered the message and direction to approach with JOHN 3:16, I referred to previous talks and realized that a couple of years ago, Jake and I both spoke a on Easter Sunday on the application of the atonement and on resurrection, so many of my remarks today come from those talks. When I reflect on the atonement, I divide into four parts. The powers are: resurrection, redemption, healing, and strengthening.
Strengthening
As a youth, I recall a video I once saw in seminary. In this video Boyd K. Packer was on a hike in the African savannah during the dry season. His guide had warned him of crocodiles and to not stray from the path. “Crocodiles”, he exclaimed. “There is no water. I see no crocodiles.” His guide laughed and assured him they were there and if they looked hard enough they would find them. They paused and took a minute to look. Before too long not far away from where they stood, they spotted one lying in the grass lifeless, waiting for some unsuspecting prey to wander too close. It would then be too late as the powerful jaws of the beast would have them bound and trapped.
The adversary, or Satan, doesn’t advertise his presence with neon signs of warning. He lies camouflaged by his surroundings, still, awaiting unsuspecting individuals to wander near his reach that he might ensnare them.
I speak to the youth and children here first, however we can all apply this topic. On the path to maturity (I am still maturing) you will pass through many fields full of crocodiles. These crocodiles don’t have sharp teeth, scales, or long snouts. However these crocodiles will hurt you, slow you down, and block your way to happiness which lies on the other side of the field. These crocodiles are known as dishonesty, pride, pornography, drugs, just to name a few. In order to spot these crocodiles before it is too late the Lord has given each of you your own personal crocodile detector. It has been with you since you were 8 years old guiding your path. It is the Holy Ghost. And it will continue to be with you as long as you follow the guidelines the Lord has set. There are several eternal truths to help. I testify that the road ahead is not an easy one. There will be times you may come close to crocodiles. At other times you may even get snagged along the way. The savior is always there with outreached arms to pull you from its grasp if you will allow him. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that the youth and children that believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” The Atonement of Christ, empowers us, gives us strength to do good.
Brad Wilcox states” Christ doesn't just make up the difference. He makes all the difference. “I'll never do it again,” we say — and then we do it. In a world full of challenges, temptations, and even addictions, it is easy to lose hope for ourselves and those we love. During times of discouragement, we must remember that the purpose of the Atonement of Jesus Christ is not just to cleanse and console, but also to transform — and that takes time. Christ is not waiting at the finish line once we have done —all we can do.” He is with us every step of the way, and His Atonement will be available as long as the perfecting process takes — continually.” Most people acknowledge that perfection is a long-term process, but overlook the continuous nature of Christ's Atonement that makes that process possible. Peace is found not by giving up or erasing the need to change, but by turning to the One who makes change possible and realizing that we get lots of chances to start again. So, if at first you don't succeed either, don't find excuses. Find the Savior and the blessings of His continuous Atonement.
Healing and Redemption
“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” As many of you know, Jake has a strong testimony that the Book of Mormon is a book of miracles and recently as began keeping a Book of Mormon reflection journal. His last entry comes from thoughts in Alma 34:31…”if ye will repent and harden not your hearts, immediately shall the great plan of redemption ne brought about you.” Let me share with you his journal entry along with that passage. “ I have wondered how long I must be repentant, how long do I have to be on the path of righteousness before I can being to feel the redeeming power of the atonement. The answer is explained by Amulek “immediately”. I testify that this is true. As soon as a person takes it upon them repent, immediately the power of the atonement begins to strengthen and heal, And if a person will not cast aside that moment of strength, but hold to it as if clinging to a life preserve in a sea of uncertainty, they will overcome their weakness. The love of the Savior will surround them and the power of God will sustain them. If they should feel the grasp weakening and the resolve slipping, immediately cry for mercy. Do as Peter did when overcome with fear on the Sea of Galile and cry saying “Lord save me”. And f you failed, do not believe that all is lost, that you are lost. Do not believe that chance has passed you by. Do not forget the atonement and is infinite and the power limitless. Do not forget that God loves you. He sent his only begotten son to lift you up again, so try and try again.”
Resurrection
Fourteen years ago, my sweet husband had a plan, a plan for the best proposal known to man or at least for me. The entire day as we began our journey to the desired destination, he was a bit of creep. This was all a part of his plan to throw me off. After several hours of this relentless, rude, and thoughtless behavior, as the car came to a stop, I got out, sat on a rock, and demanded to know what his problem was before I got back in that jeep with him. Jake recalls: “Despite my pleas to get back in the car, she said, “I am not getting back in the car until you tell me what is going on!” Man, this woman is stubborn. To my shock, my perfect plan was being unraveled. So at the place and time of Renee’s choosing, I knelt on one knee and asked her to marry me. After she said yes, it took her about half a second, I started to tell her my plan. I even took her to the place where the perfect proposal was to take place. My Eagle Scout project sat in the middle of the hot desert, in a pit, next to an oil pump, among the cow pies. “You were going to propose to me here?” was her response. I knew what she was really saying was “This is the place.” Life can be like my plan at times. Sometimes we may think we know the path, but we may not be able to foresee all the twists, turns, or challenges that may arise. In fact the only perfect plan is the plan designed by our Father in Heaven. This plan has several different names, but my favorite is the plan of happiness.
This plan was presented to us when we lived with our Father before we were born. As part of the plan, we would come to earth to receive a body and to learn to apply the atonement in our lives. Only by doing this could we become more like our Father and obtain everything that He has. After our time on earth, our spirits and mortal bodies would separate through death. Our spirits would then await the time of resurrection
Despite being part of the plan, death rarely seems to be a happy occasion. It can strike anyone at any age. Sometimes death calls upon a caring grandparent, a young mother, or a best friend. It may even remove from the home the sound of a young child’s laughter. It may leave in its wake thoughts of memories never created, times never enjoyed, and dreams never achieved. Note that is in the scripture “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten that whosever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life”, the passage does not say will not die but uses carefully the words shall not perish. Through our Savior, the Atonement, provides resurrection to all and everlasting life to the deserving.
Brad Wilcox explains how Christ's Atonement is not something we only need once in awhile but continuously throughout our lives, and that it's always available to us, no matter how often we sin. "If we view the Atonement as only a way to be resurrected after we die, what motivates us to live? If we view the Atonement as only a way to clean up after the messes we have made, what motivates us to avoid making messes? If we view the Atonement as only a comforting support when we deal with hurts and illnesses, why are we required to go through such trials in the first place? What motivates us to learn from those experiences rather than just endure them? In each case, the answers we seek are found only as we look beyond Christ's saving role to His redeeming role. As Latter-day Saints, we know not only what Jesus saved us from but also what He redeemed us for. We must be renewed, refined, and ultimately perfected in Him"
John 3:16 can become written on our hearts individually. Today, this Easter morning, may we take a moment and take the scripture literal in our lives: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that Jake and Renee’ shall not perish but have everlasting life”.
