It is finished

So, this was my last week in New Testament class. I have loved learning about the Savior and His doings and teachings this semester. I feel like I've been able to understand a little bit more of who He is and why it's important to constantly be studying and applying His words. This week we talked about Jesus's scourging and crucifixion, and later His resurrection. One of my favorite things we talked about was when Jesus tarried with the disciples He met on the road to Emmaus. On the road, He quoted scriptures to them about Himself and yet, they didn't understand who He was until this special moment, recorded in Luke 24:30-31. It says: "And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight." Brother Griffin talked about how they probably noticed the marks on Jesus's hands and wrists as he tore the bread and gave it to them, and realized who they were with.
I love this because that is what the sacrament does for us. When we sit down and take the bread and water each week, pondering His suffering and sacrifice and triumph, our eyes are opened to His mercy, grace, and love and we come closer to Him each time as we feel the warmth of forgiveness. Even though Christ doesn't physically hand us the bread and water, it symbolizes everything He went through and we take it because He was able to finish His Father's will and complete the Atonement, thereby making it possible for all of us to repent and live again. I think the significance of the sacrament is sometimes lost on us, but learning this this week will help me to make that time on Sundays much more sacred and meaningful, because He really is giving it to us personally, we just have to take the time to prepare for it and accept His incredible gift.