He Lives

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.

·         Portrayal video “Jesus Cleanses the Temple”

·         Explanation video “Leaven and the Cleansing of the Temple” 

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 Last Supper”

·         Explanation video “The Last Supper and the Passover Feast”

·         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.

·         Portrayal video “Jesus Is Condemned before Pilate”

·         Explanation video “His Blood Be Upon Us” 

·         Explanation video “What Was the Crucifixion Like” 

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.

·         Explanation video “Day of Agony”

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.

·         Portrayal video “Jesus Is Resurrected” 

·         Portrayal video “Blessed Are They That Have Not Seen and Yet Have Believed”

·         Portrayal video “Christ Appears 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.

The Prince of Peace

My life is religious every day. I’m not particularly unusual for an observant Mormon. But usually on this blog I try to translate into the principles that are accessible to every flavor of civilized person. However, this is the week of Easter, so today I’m sharing some Christian themes.

This first video is from my Church, for this year’s Easter celebration, with the theme “Prince of Peace.”

That main piece is followed up by several brief videos of people who apply in their everyday lives the concepts we learn from Christ. If you're celebrating along with me, click on each one.

·         Faith 

·         God’s Word 

·         Compassion 

·         Gratitude 

·         Prayer 

·         Forgiveness 

·         Repentance 

·         Hope 

In past years I’ve done some Easter celebrating here, one year with art. Other years with videos about the life of Christ. With music. Music. And more music. Music is the language of the angels; you hear it and feel it, and something transcendent can happen.

Here’s a bonus, a song I came across for the first time today, with children singing. It could be for any time. But it’s appropriate for Easter, with the message “He Lives and He Loves Me.”

From the Inside Out

It’s Easter this Sunday. The commemoration of the most amazing event in the history of the world. The separation of the body and spirit, which happens at death, was overcome. And the separation of each of us from the presence of God, which happens when we are born into this fallen world, was overcome.

The example and teachings of Jesus Christ are the most civilizing influence in our otherwise troubled world.

Ezra Taft Benson, whom we refer to here occasionally as a prime source for the Proper Role of Government, was also Secretary of Agriculture, and then was the President and Prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when I was a young mother. He gave a General (worldwide) Conference address entitled “Born of God” back in 1985. A passage from that was brought to my attention this week:

The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in. The world would take people out of the slums. Christ takes the slums out of people, and then they take themselves out of the slums. The world would mold men by changing their environment. Christ changes men, who then change their environment. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature.

The way to civilization, along with its accompanying freedom, prosperity—and peace—comes from changing the human heart. One at a time. Starting with our own. Spreading to our family members. Then to our friends and community. Until enough of us live that way that thriving civilization results.

Government simply has no capacity to create civilization. It has a useful role of protecting life, liberty, and property. But government doesn’t create jobs or wealth. It doesn’t “care” for the poor when it takes from some people to give to others. It doesn’t control the climate. It can, however, do great harm when it attempts anything beyond its proper role. Government is a worldly, outside-in entity.

Government isn’t God. Any attempt to replace God decays civilization. Government would do well to respect and honor every person who celebrates Easter by willingly living God’s word as best they individually understand it.

Little Political Spheres 1 and 2
in the Texas bluebonnets, 2013,
adding to word peace

I’m celebrating Easter in some traditional ways this weekend. Spending time with kids and grandkids, maybe including taking some kids-in-the-bluebonnets photos on Saturday—a grand tradition here in Texas. And we’ll be getting together to listen to the word of God on Easter Sunday. Hear some beautiful Easter music. Eat a good meal together. Maybe have an Easter egg hunt for the little ones.

I love Easter. Not the candy and all so much. But I love the way spring reminds us of new life—of resurrection. I love the opportunity to remember, even more especially than we do every Sunday and every day, to remember Christ and His love for us.

In that spirit, I’m sharing this short video, an Easter gift from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, reminding us that He Lives.