Summary Lesson 2: “Behold I am Jesus Christ the Savior of the World”

THE MESSIAH: Looking at the sacred event that redeemed us from the sins of life, bruises of experience, captivity of conscience, blindness of bigotry, hurt of hearts broken, poverty of stinginess and the imprisonment of self pity, we are drawn to the Mount of Olives. Two thousand years ago, He sank below all things, experiencing deeper depths than we would ever reach so that we would never have to. Bleeding from every pore of His body, He was stained for us. Isaiah wrote the words of the Savior’s testimony seven hundred years before the Savior would speak them. “The LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.” (Isaiah 61:1) (Luke 4:18)
DRESSED IN WHITE FOR DAY OF ATONEMENT: Although the principle of “someone atoning for our sins” in Judaism has diminished over the years, one day every year is set aside as the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur. “A day of fasting and prayer for all . . . the last of the Ten Days of Penitence which begin with Rosh Ha-Shanah . . . worshipers are wrapped in tallitot and some even robed in white gowns (kitels).” (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)
YOM KIPPUR INFERS A RESURRECTION: To the Jews, the Messiah has not come; consequently, it is understandable that they do not have an active belief in the resurrection. There are, however, benedictions and other statements with words that seem to connect to a former belief in Resurrection. “‘Blessed be . . . He Who revives the dead’ . . . also known as Tehiyyat ha-Metim (‘Resurrection of the Dead’) . . . “. . . the righteous of all generations will be reunited at the time of the resurrection of the dead during the messianic period.” (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)

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PROCESS OF RESURRECTION ALSO DEPENDS ON PREPARATION: That includes repentance. The Lord’s first message to the Disciples in the “Americas” was the same as to the Disciples in the Land of Israel, and repeated in Latter-days is that of repentance. The word “repentance” in Hebrew (teshuvah) literally means “to turn” or “return.” “. . . a unique aspect of the Jewish faith is that although God rules the world with absolute justice, He is also merciful and forgives sins against Him.” (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)
RESPONSIBILITY OF BEING CHOSEN: The Lord descended below all things and then rose above all things. This is reflected in each of the prophet’s lives. I believe that the difficulties, calamities, and sufferings of the Jews will ultimately bring them closer to the Lord, who covenanted to remember and save His people. Sufferings bring us closer to Him, and those having the highest responsibilities of serving Him often suffer greatly. They “sink to new heights.” “And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit . . . all these things shall give thee experience . . . The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?” (Doctrine & Covenants 122:7-8)