Personal moments with the Infinite Atonement

I really hate to do this but too much has happened in too short a time. The last 24 hours have been incredible. I’ll give a brief summary but will regrettably, although maybe you prefer having less to read, have to relax a bit on the interpretation thereof.  

Last night we welcomed Shabbat by dressing inconspicuously, donning Kipahs (the little Jewish hats), and visiting the western wall as the sun went down. It was packed. Thousands of Jews from all kinds of groups were there. The biggest groups were the Orthodox Jews with their silk black suits and hats (and there are various sects within that group) and the young soldiers that were all over the place. There was also a large group from the rabbinical schools that came marching into the plaza with interlocking arms and singing loudly. We were able to join in their circle as they rejoiced to welcome the Sabbath with the setting of the Sun. I even was able to work my way over to that 2000 year old retaining wall for a moment of prayer, which is surprisingly difficult in a large crowd where many are singing or chanting prayers. There was a ton of religious energy floating around.  Drat, I forgot I was just summarizing.  

This morning two of my roommates and I and another awoke early and walked down the Kidron Valley to the Garden of Gethsemane. We went to the church this time which was closed but we were able to sit next to the fenced garden containing the oldest olive trees. It’s a really small patch but is breathtakingly peaceful. The flowers are incredible, which is why I’m posting a black and white picture. We read a few scriptures and sang what songs we could remember on the spot before returning for breakfast. On the way back we witness a motorcycle go over the center divide in the road and clip a tractor going the other way. Sharp contrast to the peace of the garden. I suspect he suffered a broken arm but he was able to get up and run pretty quickly.  

Church services were a delight. We had a visiting 70 (Elder Pieper) so he took over the service. In Priesthood we were doing announcements and someone asked if he had any. His reply was that is wasn’t time for the temple yet. He is actually in charge of the church in this area so that pretty authoritative. It isn’t time yet.  He gave a Q and A fireside in the evening. The general message is that I am living in a country where we can’t preach the gospel. When President Monson asked us to pray that the nations would open their doors to the gospel THIS is one of those nations. That’s a strange thought for me. I am further from a temple then I have ever been in my life, and maybe more than I ever will be. That’s something you can, and ought, to, to all pray for.  

 After church we all walked down to the Garden tomb. We haven’t gone yet because the people that own the site (a United Kingdom Protestant sect) wanted us to go on the group tour first. After all the dark and heavy Eastern Christian churches we’ve been to the simple practical faith of the Protestants was refreshing. The garden is amazing. Woven through it are little meeting areas where different touring groups meet for a moment. Many were singing hymns from whatever country or sect they came from. We did the same and perhaps out sang them all as we were nearly 100 in number.  The Tomb was much bigger than I thought; it has room for three people in it. We all got in a long line and everyone posed for their picture in front of salvation. (I confess I didn’t because of the line but I will be back).  

Standing there in the light happy atmosphere of that garden surrounded by fellow Christians it was interesting to see everyone line up for their chance to walk in the tomb. Our District President spoke a few words to us and mentioned how after the resurrection Christ had visited Peter and the Apostles and Mary and the 500 and so forth but one of those he visited one on one was James, his little brother. According to the Gospel of the Hebrews (apocrypha) James had vowed not to eat until Jesus rose from the day. In that appearance Christ broke bread with his little brother. The point was that Christ is here for all of us collectively (macro salvation) but he is also here for all of us individually (micro salvation) While Christ was visiting the 500 here or the 2500 there he didn’t forget about his fasting little brother and took a moment for the one.  

All those people were lining up outside the tomb for a chance to have their own little moment in that most sacred of spots. The line was long and the sun was hot but isn’t it wonderful that it works? The Infinite Atonement, which applies to all the world and all the worlds we cannot count, applies to each one of us, one at a time, as we come forward and feel the prints on his feet and his hands and know he is the Christ. Somehow I don’t think we will have to wait in line, I suspect he will be ready when we are.