Today is Good Friday, the day when the Christian world remembers the death of Jesus Christ. I remember as a small child watching the news one Good Friday and seeing throngs of people pushing their way thru the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem. There were even people who had lashed themselves to crosses and who were hanging as a sign of devotion to their faith. Understandably, it left me feeling very confused. I asked my mother why did we call it “Good Friday” if Jesus was killed this day. She said simply, “Because of all the “good” Jesus did for us today.” As I’ve grown older I’ve been able to learn for myself of the “Good Jesus did for us today.”
Two words I came across this week in my Come Follow Me study that helped me think of the “Good” Jesus has done were ransom and remission. In Matthew 26, we read about the Last Supper — it’s during this last night together, that Christ finished teaching the disciples about his work on the earth — that he is the Messiah. Christ institutes the ordinance of the sacrament. Continue reading
As we approach Easter, I always become a bit more contemplative on Thursday before Easter. Most of the Christian world refers to this day as “Maundy Thursday“. We don’t in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But the term has deep meaning, all the same. Maundy comes from the Latin word “mandatum” which means “to command”. On this night of the Holy Week, the Savior and his disciples met for one last time, to share the Passover meal and for one last lesson from the Master.
A reminder, when you’re out and about on Facebook and in your online interactions with people, to remember, the other person is a person with feelings and all. I was reminded today, thru something that was brought to my attention, and which I had chance to observe, how hate, bitterness and the desire for revenge can canker and destroy your soul. I get why Jesus Christ taught us to pray for our enemies, not so much for them, but for ourselves, so we don’t go over the cliff.