And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.
And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus Standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? who seekest thou? She, supposing him to be gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.
Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.
Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; For I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascended unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. (John 20:11-17)
"Woman, why weepest thou?" Our Savior was speaking not just to the sorrowing Mary. He was also speaking to all of mankind ever born or yet to be born. There's peace I've come to know - because Jesus Christ is Risen, I too, will Rise! So - "why weepest thou?"
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was crucified at the time of the Passover. Three days later He rose from the dead and was resurrected which we celebrate on Easter.
From the Bible Dictionary we learn where the word Easter comes from:
"The word Easter is from Eastre, a Norse Goddess whose pagan festival was observed at the spring equinox. The association of this pagan goddess with the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ was only by adaptation and synthesis. There is no real connection - it thus became a springtime anniversary, and has come to be called Easter in the Christian world."
Latter-day Saints celebrate Easter Sunday by worshiping Jesus Christ through attending church where they partake of the sacrament, sing hymns of praise and pray together. Church services often focuses on the resurrection of Jesus Christ, including talks and lessons. Sometimes a ward may hold a special Easter program during sacrament meeting which might include a narrative, special music numbers, and talks about Easter and Jesus Christ.
Easter is a celebration not only of the resurrection of Christ but also of the universal resurrection. Because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, all people will be resurrected. Their bodies and spirits will be reunited, never to be separated again. Latter-day Saints know the truth of Paul's statement. "But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept... For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive" (Cor. 15:20; cf. Alma 11:42-45)
Latter-day Saints conduct Easter Sunday services but do not follow the religious observances of Ash Wednesday, Lent, or Holy Week. LDS Easter services traditionally review New Testament and Book of Mormon accounts of Christ's crucifixion, his resurrection, and surrounding events. The focus of the holiday is religious. For Latter-day Saints, Easter is a celebration of the promise of eternal life through Christ. They share the conviction of Job, "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God" (Job 19:25-26).
Latter-day Saints affirm and testify that Jesus Christ was resurrected and lives today with glorified and perfected body of flesh and bone. Following his resurrection, Jesus appeared first to Mary Magdalene and then to other disciples. Some were not convinced of his resurrection, believing that his appearances were those of an unembodied spirit. Jesus assured them, "Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have" (Luke 24:39). He then ate fish and honey in their presence, further dispelling their doubt.
A Resurrected Body of Flesh and Bones
The Savior's appearance to His disciples described in Luke 24:36-42 provides some of the clearest information in the Gospels about what a resurrected body is like (see also Alma 11:44; 40:23). President Joseph Fielding Smith commented on these verses and further described characteristics of resurrected body:
"After Jesus Christ had laid down his life and had taken it again on the third day, he presented himself to his disciples and told them to handle him and see, for a spirit had not a body of flesh and bones as they saw that he had. And so they came, and they handled him.
"Further to convince them, he partook of the fish and honeycomb. He ate in their presence and convinced them by a practical demonstration that it was he himself, that the uneducated may read and understand; and yet the wise men in all their learning, close their eyes against these truths...
"After the resurrection from the dead our bodies will be spiritual bodies, but they will be bodies that are tangible, bodies that have been purified, but they will nevertheless be bodies of flesh and bones... They will no longer be quickened by blood but quickened by the spirit which is eternal, and they shall become immortal and shall never die [see Luke 24:39; 1 Cor. 15:44; D&C 88:15-32]" (Doctrines of Salvation, ed. Bruce R. McConkie, 3 vols. [1954-56], 2:268-69,285).
Because of Him - there is no death - no permanent parting. The resurrection is a reality. Death is not the end. The resurrection brings joy to sorrow, and hope to fear. Abinadi, a prophet from the Book of Mormon said:
"And now if Christ had not come into the world, there could have been no redemption. And if Christ had not risen from the dead, or have broken the bands of death that the grave should have no victory, and that death should have no sting, there could have been no resurrection. But there is a resurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ" (Mosiah 16:6-8.)
I testify that Jesus Lives and He is the only way back to our heavenly home. He is my Lord and Savior who died and rose again. The empty tomb that first Easter morning was the answer to Job's question, "If a man die, shall he live again?" (Job 14:14)
In Jesus name, Amen
Click here if video doesn't work: Because of Him
No comments:
Post a Comment