Understanding Easter

Being the Easter season, I read the various accounts in the Gospels of the events around the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. As I read, I began to think about the apostles and other followers of Christ. Over the course of His three year ministry, He had taught them that He would die and would rise again. They didn’t understand. (In today’s vernacular we would say ‘They didn’t get it.’) Even though Jesus explained it, they could not comprehend.

The day came when He was crucified. There was their master, leader, friend, and Son of God, hanging on a cross, ridiculed, beaten, mocked, and scorned. He died in a most cruel manner.

Early on the morning after the Sabbath they came to take care of his body which had been hastily left in the tomb so as not to violate the holy day. Mary and others came with spices to lovingly and carefully bury their beloved Master. Even though they had been taught He would arise, they did not comprehend. No one had ever been resurrected before. No one had taken His body again.

When they arrived at the tomb, they were greeted by an angel who asked them a pointed question, “Why seek ye the living among the dead?”

They had seen him die. They had seen his lifeless body laid in the tomb. How could it be He was not here?

The angel continued,” He is not here, but is risen…” and then to help their understanding, the angel continued, “remember how he spake unto you when He was yet in Galilee…”

The women went and told the disciples. They too did not comprehend that what Christ had said would really happen. Peter and another apostle ran to the tomb, only to find it empty.

At evening on that same day, the resurrected Christ appeared to His disciples. He showed them His hands and the wound in His side so they could understand. “Then were the disciples glad when they saw the Lord.” Finally, they understood.

His resurrection is for all of us. I wonder if we comprehend any better than His disciples. Because He lives, we too shall live, with resurrected, perfected, immortal bodies. That is a part of his gift to us on this Easter morn. When He suffered in Gethsemane and on the cross, He paid for our sins and carried our burdens and will lift them from us if we have faith in Him and follow his commandment to repent. That too was His gift on this Easter morn. I know it is true, but I wonder if we comprehend any better than His disciples. Perhaps we won’t really understand until we, like the disciples, stand before Him, and see the prints in His hands and the wound in His side. When that happens I hope we are “glad” as were the disciples.

Happy Easter and thank God for the gift of His Son and for this season to remember and celebrate.

Have you heard of the Hill Cumorah?

Last Friday, I took my wife to dinner for Mother's Day. When we eat out I often ask our servers if they are from the Rochester (New York) area. Most of the time they are so I ask them if they have heard of the Hill Cumorah Pageant. I am surprised how many who are from Rochester have never heard of the Pageant.

I explain that the Hill Cumorah Pageant is the largest theatrical production of its kind in the U.S. It has a cast of 750 people and approximately 50,000 people come to see it each year. Even better, the admission is free. It surprises them that they have never heard of the Pageant. Many then ask when it is and if they can come.

I then ask if they know why there is a Pageant on the Hill Cumorah. Most do not. I ask if they have ever heard of the Book of Mormon. Many have never heard of it. I explain that the Book of Mormon is a translation of ancient records that were written by prophets who lived in the Americas. Those records were buried for centuries in the Hill Cumorah. They are surprised to learn it came from their area. It is amazing that one of the world's great religious texts was originally published just 25 miles from Rochester and most people who live here don't know it.

When I ask them if they would like a copy and many say they would. It has been offered for free for years on television and through the Internet. You can even track down two Mormon missionaries and they will give you a copy. Or you can request a free copy at www.mormom.org.

If you happen to be in the Rochester, New York this summer you might consider attending the Hill Cumorah Pageant. It is an amazing production that is worth visiting. And who knows, maybe you will sit by one of the servers that we invited

Years ago I spent a lot of time writing songs. When I was thinking about what to call this blog, the words of one of my songs came to mind. The song was called "Poet" and the line was "And I've got rhymes and stories for anyone that will hear." I thought that might be a fitting title for my thoughts on life, family, and what this is all about. Along the way, I might just add a few rhymes and a story of two. I hope you enjoy what is written and I hope it causes you to think.