Monday Morning Boost: Remembering the Gift of Easter
One of the most touching stories in all scripture is when Jesus raises his very good friend Lazarus from the dead. It is from this story my daughter Leslie shares one of her favorite scriptures, John 11:35, “Jesus wept.”
It’s not hard to comprehend the sadness and emptiness people felt when Lazarus died, especially his sisters Mary and Martha. Some may wonder why Jesus wept when He knew Lazarus would soon rise from the dead, and that he and all mankind would live again because of the resurrection of the Christ.
Jesus deeply loved His friends and ached for the sadness just as we do for those were love.
Jesus also loves you.
Enjoy this gift and experience the beautiful eternal truth of Easter.
We shared our second story on Thursday.
THE LAST SUPPER
Take a moment to think what the Savior must have felt knowing what was to occur just a few short hours later.
For the Savior, the Last Summer was a preparatory moment for that which was to come, the atonement that night in the Garden of Gethsemane and His crucifixion on Cavalary the following day. The Savior pleaded unto the Father not to drink of the bitter cup. Yet, as His immortal words testify, “not my will but thine be done.”
Jesus introduced the sacrament on this holy night more than two millennia ago. He broke bread and gave an offering of wine, asking his disciples to partake in remembrance of Him. He asks of us the same thing, to remember His sacrifice. We honor our covenant to remember by partaking of the emblems of His death for they are the emblems of eternal life He offers unto each of us.
If you ever wonder how the Savior feels about our mistakes and our sins, I invite you to take a look at His eyes as betrayed in this Bible video of His crucifixion.
The opening scene shows the Savior being flogged with 40 stripes minus one as a precursor punishment to His crucifixion. A Roman Centurion pauses to observe the excruciating torture.
The real story of this scene is portrayed through the eyes of both the centurion and the Savior.
The Centurion looks upon Jesus as if he wished he could do something different. He even removes his helmet, maybe as a sign of respect. Later on, we see him at the cross, perhaps portraying the centurion who said, “Truly this man was the Son of God.”
What do you see in the eyes the Savior…
Anger?
Hatred?
Contempt?
I don’t see those feelings either.
I see only love, forgiveness, and compassion.
That’s the same thing we’ll see when it’s our turn to kneel before Him and wet His feet with our tears of love and gratitude.
When Mary and the other women returned Sunday morning to the borrowed tomb where the Savior had been laid, they were greeted by two angels.
“Why seek ye the living among the dead?” The angels asked in declaration. “He is not here, but is risen.”
Not comprehending the meaning of the angelic witness, Mary sought to know where Jesus had been taken.
“She turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.”
Then came that moment, that moment which will come for each of us as surely as the sun will rise, when we will also hear the Savior call us by name.
“Jesus saith unto her, Mary.”
Mary knew that voice. She knew it well, knew it was the voice of her beloved Jesus.
“She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni, which is to say, Master.”
HE IS RISEN!
We can also know the voice of our beloved Jesus. He truly knows us by name for He has engraven our names upon the palms of His hands.
I share with you the gift of my testimony. I know that my Redeemer lives. He is also your Redeemer.
My soul received this witness again Saturday night through the beautiful gifts of four artists who combined their gifts to bear witness of the reality of the Gift of Easter.
Click the links below, if you like, and experience the artists beautiful talent of each artist. It is my hope, in your journey, you also experience a similar witness as I have.
Jason Tonioli, pianist
https://youtu.be/CFEGoBhREfg
Alexandria Sharpe, former lead singer of Celtic Women
https://youtu.be/MII2Ngxh0Vw
Glenn Rawson, storyteller and teacher
https://youtu.be/eZR_MAX5cGk
Kelly Donovan, artist
https://www.facebook.com/kelly.donovan.71
Have a great Monday! Thanks for letting me share.
Les
p.s. Take 13 minutes today to remembering the Gift of Easter.
