We’re in a week celebrating the most significant event in
the history of our world—the resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
For something that big, we ought to take a little time to
retell the story, and to do what we can to remember.
I’ve been checking in with some online resources provided by my Church, going through the Holy Week story.
There is a lot of written information, as well as videos, going through each
day. Too much to do more than just sample here. But I’ll share some of the
videos. Some are portrayals of the events; others are descriptions and
information. Most are brief, under five minutes.
Palm Sunday
Portrayal video “The Lord's Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem”:
Explanation video of the “Triumphal Entry”:
Monday through Wednesday
Monday through Wednesday include the cleansing of the
temple, as well as the teaching of several parables, and answering questions of
those who were trying to trap him. I won’t cover all of these; there are many.
But the portrayal of the Cleansing of the Temple and the explanation of some of
the symbolism is worth seeing.
Thursday
There’s a lot that happens on this day: preparations and
then the Last Supper, the suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane, the betrayal,
the trial.
·
Portrayal video “The Savior Suffers in Gethsemane,” covering also the betrayal, healing the centurion’s ear, and the
arrest:
This next video, “Gethsemane,” explains some of the meaning
of the name Gethsemane, and the symbolism that the Savior fulfilled. Did you know Gethsemane
means “olive press”? And that the first press of the olives is a dark reddish
brown appearing much like blood?
Good Friday
The illegal trials happen during the night. But the trial before
Pilate, the choice to let Barabbas go free and to crucify Jesus were done early
morning, before the crucifixion on Golgotha.
Saturday
Saturday was a painful day for all who loved Jesus. It
appeared that all hope had died. They hadn’t understood that He had told them He
would die and rise again. And their only experience in the world was that death
was permanent. As this explanation video points out, their agony on this day
allows them to understand full joy once they encountered the resurrected Savior.
Sunday
Early in the morning, the women went to the tomb, carrying
spices to anoint the body. They found the stone rolled away from the opening
and guards gone. Angels tried to explain to them, but they hardly understood.
They went and told the disciples, who mostly didn’t believe them, but Peter and
John ran to the tomb to see for themselves, finding the tomb empty. Puzzled,
and not understanding, they went back home.
Mary Magdalene waited at the tomb. When a person approached,
whom she assumed must be the gardener, she asked if he had taken the body. But
then Jesus spoke her name.
So, it is Mary who is the first we have record of who saw
the risen Lord. Then He appears to all the remaining apostles except Thomas.
Later He comes again and Thomas sees Him, and feels the prints in His hands,
and can thereafter testify that their Lord and Savior lives. Shortly after, He
appears to others on the road to Emmaus.
He appears to them later, on the shore near their fishing
boat, and then calls them to the mission He has for them going forward. He spends
40 days with them, teaching them, before rising again into heaven.
Stephen, just prior to being stoned to death, saw Him (Acts
7:55). Ananias saw Him (Acts 9:10) and was directed to go take care of Paul,
who had been a persecutor of the saints. Paul later saw Him (Acts 18:9; Acts
23:11). He was seen by more than 500 people (I Corinthians 15:6).
In addition, in my faith, we believe He later appeared to
the people on this continent and taught them for three days, seen probably by about
2500 people (3 Nephi 17:25).
Two or three witnesses should suffice. It is hard for me to
imagine thousands of people who thereafter lived with the purpose of promoting
truth and goodness to have colluded together to lie about the Savior’s
resurrection. Their testimonies and their lives testify that He lives.
His life was real—as clearly established historically as ancient
historical person. The details of His life fulfill the hundreds of prophecies
from all the Old Testament prophets. If we use simplest, most logical
conclusion, it is not that He is an invention; it is that, indeed, He lives.
During the weekend, we’re going to do an Easter egg hunt
with grandchildren and have a Sunday feast. I made chocolate eggs, and we’re
going to decorate cookies and eggs. Many of those things seem frivolous, but
underneath it all, we’re celebrating new life, and joy, and love.
So we will use this time to remember, He lives.
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