If we were to compare Holidays, Easter beats out Christmas, hands down. Because Easter Sunday is the day when we are able to remember and rejoice in the atoning sacrifice and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are reminded that Christ overcame spiritual and physical death. He paid for our sins and voluntarily gave up His life on the cross for us to have the opportunity to live forever and return to Him. This is the most significant fight offered to All mankind. This is the central principle of the gospel.
In the Pearl of Great Price, God explains to Moses: " that his work and glory is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." Immortality comes to us because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Eternal life, is posible because of Christ's atoning sacrifice.
As the apostle Paul said, if there be no resurrection of the dead, then all our teaching would be in vain. Prophets of the old testament taught this concept over and over, and utilized sacrifices of the first lamb of the flock to convey this message.
Book of Mormon prophets taught the doctrine of the Resurrection as well. Nephi said, "Behold they will crucify him, and after he is laid in a sepulcher for 3 days he shall rise from the dead, with healing wings." Christ even prophesied about His own resurrection saying: " I am the resurrection and the life." As members of His Church, the resurrection and atonement are the center of our faith. No event is more centrally important to us. It is the greatest of all miracles performed by the Savior.
President Benson said, "Nothing is more absolutely universal that the resurrection. " As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." (1 Cor. 15:22) Without it, we would indeed be left hopeless; with it, we have nothing to fear in this life. The resurrection of Jesus Christ proves to us that there is life after death. For everyone!
There is another great blessing that comes to us because of Christ's ultimate sacrifice... There is no loneliness or sadness or pain-even death itself that can come to us that Jesus Himself, did not experience in his own body. We can trust that He is empathetic to our life experiences. Because Jesus is risen there is no fear ought to keep us from being "steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord." (1 Cor. 15:58)
He is risen! Christ the Lord is risen today. Al-le-lu-ya!
Raise your joys and triumphs high! Tell it out with joyful voice. Let the whole wide earth rejoice!
"Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." Joh 16:33
If we have indeed heard this good news? Shouldn't we celebrate with joy and gladness in our hearts? If God is God of love shouldn't we celebrate the greatest of all gifts that He gave to us, the atonement, and resurrection? I pray that we might carry this joy in our hearts daily.
I am grateful to have been raised in a home where I gained both an appreciation for the concept that Christ died for our sins, and that there is great joy in His message.
I want my grandchildren to know that Jesus Christ was not just a great teacher, but that he truly was the Son of God. He was the creator, and Savior of the World. And that through the resurrection of Jesus Christ our spirits and bodies will be reunited after death.
The gospel understanding enable teach of us, as Latter-day Saints. to carry joy in our hearts always. Furthermore, it allows us to approach the gospel with a heart overwhelming with gratitude, and not solely worried about keeping the commandments. "We love Him, because He first loved us."
"Because I live, ye shall live also." John 14:19
I testify that I have heard the good news. Christ the Lord Lives today. That He is a resurrected being with flesh and bones as he showed His disciples when he was resurrected. And that is exactly what will happen to us too!
We celebrate this Easter Day, may we celebrate the joy of this gospel gift everyday I pray.
Con amor,
Vero
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