The English word ‘redeem’ comes from the Hebrew verb ‘gā’al, which “has a central meaning in “to regain possession of by payment” or “buy back something that was lost.” In the Old Testament, the verb “gā’al” has been translated as “to redeem”, “ransom”. (Webster’s Dictionary) The language here is instructive; Christ ‘buys us back’ from…

“For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Tim 2:5) Elder Jeffrey R. Holland taught: “Mediation is required when there is dispute or disagreement between two or more people or parties… Christ’s role as Mediator is a privilege of His birth as the Son of God…

Zacharias was described, with his wife, Elisabeth, as “righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinance of the Lord blameless” (Luke 1:6). After being struck dumb for expressing doubt at Gabriel’s declaration that they would have a child in their old age, Zacharias regained his voice when he wrote down that the child…

One of the titles given to the Lord in the book of Revelation is the ‘Amen’. We read “These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness”. (Revelation 3:14) Elder Holland taught: “This Hebrew word—literally translated as “firm” or “faithful”—means “let it be as has been said.” It is most often found as a…

“I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst … He that believeth on me hath everlasting life” (John 6:35, 47) In the 2020 First Presidency Christmas Devotional, President Nelson taught: “Jesus was born in Bethlehem. That word in Hebrew, bet…

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” (John 1:1–3) President Nelson taught “His title was the Word—spelled with a capital…

The title of ‘King’ was associated with Jesus at various points prior, during and after his earthly life. Prophecies declared that a King would come to lead Israel. Following his birth, Wise Men came searching for “he that is born King of the Jews”. Jesus’ designation as King prompted suspicion and murderous intent from Herod,…

In Isaiah 7:14, we read “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” The name ‘Immanuel’ means ‘God with us’. When Jesus Christ, “the only begotten of the Father” came into the world, “the Word was made flesh, and…

Fans of C.S. Lewis’ classic story of ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’ will be used to the idea of having Jesus Christ represented in the form of a Lion. The symbolism, however, didn’t start with Lewis, who explained “I pictured Him [Christ] becoming a lion there because (a) the lion is supposed to…

“if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1) In a court of law, an advocate stands between the defendant and the judge and pleads on the defendant’s behalf. The advocate is in the defendant’s corner and represents the best of their intentions and character to…