The way you introduce yourself says a lot about what is important to you and about your relationship with your audience. After the Savior’s death in Jerusalem, He introduced Himself twice to a group of people on the American continent: while they sat in darkness and heard His voice, and again when He visited them in person. Here are those two introductions side by side. I have color coded some phrases in order to highlight similar concepts between the two introductions:
3 Nephi 9:15-18, 21
Behold, I am Jesus Christ the Son of God. I created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are. I was with the Father from the beginning. I am in the Father, and the Father in me; and in me hath the Father glorified his name.
I came unto my own, and my own received me not. And the scriptures concerning my coming are fulfilled.
And as many as have received me, to them have I given to become the sons of God; and even so will I to as many as shall believe on my name, for behold, by me redemption cometh, and in me is the law of Moses fulfilled.
I am the light and the life of the world. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end….
Behold, I have come unto the world to bring redemption unto the world, to save the world from sin.
3 Nephi 11:10-11
Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world.
And behold, I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning.
What did the Savior want them to know about Him? Here is what I see:
- He is the promised Messiah. All of the people knew that prophets, including Nephi, King Benjamin, and Alma had foretold His coming and had even prophesied that He would be called Jesus Christ (2 Nephi 25:19, Mosiah 3:8, Alma 36:17). He was the fulfillment of those prophecies. His coming was the evidence that the words of those prophets were true. “Behold, I am Jesus Christ.”
- His relationship with our Father in Heaven is paramount. He has been with the Father since the beginning. He is completely united with the Father. He has submitted His will to the will of the Father in all things. In doing so, He has glorified the Father.
- He also wants to help us to develop a good relationship with God. He has redeemed us, so that we can overcome our sins and become the sons and daughters of God.
- He offers us light and life. He created the world, so we owe Him our mortal lives. And He has also made eternal life available to us.
Today, I will remember how the Savior introduced Himself. I will remember that His coming fulfilled the words of the prophets. I will strive to emulate His relationship with His Father by overcoming my sins with His help and submitting my will to the will of the Father. I will open my heart so that I can receive the light and the life He offers me.
Thank you for your consistent ability to discern not just patterns but beautiful self application . This is a wonderful post and blog!
Thanks for your kind words. I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Have a great day!