Infinite and Intimate

Jesus spoke to multitudes countless times during His mortal ministry. As a young 12 year old boy He was found in the temple teaching doctors and teachers.  In the Sermon on the Mount He spoke to His disciples in preparation for them to serve missions. He proclaimed to them “ye are the light of the world.”  As resurrected Lord, He ministered to thousands of people in Ancient America and taught essential doctrine of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Recently I heard a statement that I could not get out of my mind. The statement went something like this, “I know the Savior loves everyone, but does He know and love me personally?” My answer is a resounding YES! 

The Savior loves and ministers to everyone, but He also loves and ministers to every ONE.

We are taught this principle through the Savior Himself,

In Luke,

What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.

We have this picture hanging in our house and I love being reminded of this parable and the Savior’s desire to seek out the one despite all the other sheep. The lost sheep mattered to Him. YOU matter to Him

In John we read of His compassion to the women taken in adultery,

When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?

She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

He taught her the importance of repentance one by one

In Matthew, when Peter was afraid the Savior was the one to catch him when He fell.

But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me

And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him.

When you feel afraid, destined to fail, or not good enough and cry out Lord save me remember the Lord is within reach. He wasn’t standing on the shore during the storms, he was within Peter’s reach. In a book titled, “The Peter Potential” there is a quote that reads, “when the Lord extends an invitation to act He will not lead you into a situation that will destroy you. He will reach your reaching. He will be there to make sure you don’t drown.” The Savior knows your potential and is doing all He can to help you see your potential. The Savior ministered to Peter one by one.

In Third Nephi despite the large numbers of people (2,500) in attendance the Savior ministers one by one

And it came to pass that the multitude went forth, and thrust their hands into his side, and did feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet; and this they did do, going forth one by one until they had all gone forth

And it came to pass that when he had thus spoken, all the multitude, with one accord, did go forth with their sick and their afflicted, and their lame, and with their blind, and with their dumb, and with all them that were afflicted in any manner; and he did heal them every one as they were brought forth unto him

And when he had said these words, he wept, and the multitude bare record of it, and he took their little children, one by one, and blessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them.

Ever since I was a little girl this scene has just touched me. I’ve imaged myself in the shoes of the Nephite people. What an honor it must have been to stand before the Savior to feel the nail marks in His hands and sides, to be healed by Him, and to hear Him pray for me. In all reality that would be the most miraculous day, but I believe the miracle of all of this is that the Savior still ministers similarly. I believe that He has power to heal us individually from our infirmities. I believe He weeps for us when we weep and desires what is best for us. And I believe He prays for us and is near when we pray.

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I have never seen the Savior and I don't know everything He taught, yet I know He Is real. I have felt His love too many times to deny that. He is the only One capable of understanding us perfectly because of what He endured in Gethsemane, and Calvary.

Although there are billions of people to have walked the earth I know that the Savior very personally suffered for me. He knows me by name, He understands my struggles and hardships, He picks me up when I fall, and His love is always constant. He is my greatest source of joy. 

Always remember and have hope that there is a Savior who knows and loves you Individually. In a sea of people, He will seek out the one lost sheep, the discouraged and the downtrodden, the afraid and the afflicted, the Saint and the sinner. He will reach out In love and minister to the One. His patterns have not changed. His love is forever constant. How grateful I am for that.