Raising of Lazarus from the Dead

One of the most powerful examples of the Savior's love is the raising of Lazarus from the grave. The event took place just before the triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Jesus and His disciples were traveling to Jerusalem for the last time when a messenger was sent with word that Lazarus was sick; however, the Savior tarried for several days instead of rushing to heal Lazarus. When Jesus and the disciples finally arrived, Lazarus had been dead and in the tomb for four days (see John 11:1-45).

One of the first questions often asked is why would the Lord wait to heal Lazarus? Why would He prolong His coming when He knew that the hearts of Mary and Martha would both be broken? Though we do not know for sure why Jesus delayed His coming, there are several likely answers, each which teach of the love and compassion of the Savior.

First, by raising Lazarus from the dead after four days, Jesus demonstrated His true power over even the worst of enemies, that of death. Previously, the Savior had likewise raised two people from the dead, the young daughter of Jairus, and the only son of the widow of Nain. However, in each of these cases they had only been dead but a few hours. Dissenters could easily claim that those who had been raised, had only been sleeping. Yet in the case of Lazarus, there was no question as to the magnitude of Jesus' power.

Second, the miracle teaches of the Savior’s pure love for others, despite His all-knowing omniscience. The shortest verse found in scripture simply states "Jesus wept" (John 11:35). Volumes could be written about these simple, yet two powerful words. The Savior knew that He would raise Lazarus from the dead. He also knew that in just a few moments the two sisters, Mary and Martha would again be embracing their brother. Yet Jesus was in the moment, and felt their pain, even though He knew the power of the future.

Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, Jesus performed this miracle to help prepare His followers for His own death—an even more tragic death than Lazarus. One of the reasons Jesus may have wept is because He knew of the sorrow that His disciples soon would feel when they saw their Lord and Savior nailed to the cross. Just as the Savior knew that Lazarus would live again, Jesus also knew that He Himself would be resurrected. Yet for a short time, His followers would weep and not fully understand why their Savior had died. It seems that the Lord allowed Lazarus to die, to instill in His disciples a belief beforehand that truly nothing is impossible for the Lord. Through this miracle, the Savior gave His disciples hope for the future. Hope for the seemingly impossible. Hope when all would be lost.

Often in our own lives we might ask why the Lord has not answered our prayers despite having sought Him in faith and devotion. We may wonder why the Lord tarries instead of providing promised blessings. The story of Lazarus teaches us that the Savior’s timing is always perfect. Even though there are many moments when we think our prayers have gone unanswered, we can be assured that the Lord will come to us, weep with us, and embrace us until the miracle comes.

Events of Holy Week: Palm Sunday

For anyone who has studied in-depth the last week of the Savior's mortal ministry, you know there are some, well, inconsistencies. Did Jesus really cleanse the Temple on Sunday (as Matthew and Luke describe), or did it happen on Monday (as Mark's gospel records)? Were there two women who anointed the feet/head of Jesus (one on the Saturday before Palm Sunday as John records, and one on Wednesday), or was it just one woman? Was Jesus actually crucified at 9:00 AM or at noon of Good Friday? Or perhaps the most perplexing of all, was the Last Supper an actual Passover feast, or did Jesus celebrate the feast a day early?

The simple answer, no one really knows. Scholars disagree on how to resolve the inconsistencies, however, when you study Holy Week as four separate stories, a beautiful tapestry of depth and meaning arises. In searching for timelines of Holy Week, I never found one that really addressed all of these intricate issues. So, I decided to make my own. Hopefully, this timeline of the events of Holy Week will help you appreciate the beauty of this most significant week in history. Hopefully, it will help you understand that the Gospel writers most likely were more interested in preserving the profound symbolism of Holy Week, and not so much an hour-by-hour chronology of events.

Over the next week, in an attempt to show the hidden meaning of the events of Holy Week, I will share several of the most precious gems I have discovered over the years. To begin, I will start with Palm Sunday.

Palm Sunday

Each of the four Gospels records the events of the Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. According to the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke), the event took place on the 10th day of the month of Abib, the same day when all Jews were choosing their Passover lambs. According to the Law of Moses, the Israelites were to select their lambs on the 10th day of the month, five days before Passover (see Exodus 12:3). Once selected, the lamb was then taken into the homes of the families of Israel where it lived for the next five days (see Exodus 12:3-6). On the fourteenth day of the month, the family was then to take the lamb to the temple, kill it without breaking any bones, and then take the carcass back to the home for the Passover feast. During the first Passover, when Israel was still in Egypt, the blood of the lamb was then dabbed on the doorposts, protecting their home from the destroying angel. This made for a poignant lesson for the children, who after living with the lamb and becoming fond of it, would see it killed and eaten, so that they could be saved.

The significance of the timing is that on the very same day that all Jews were choosing their Passover lambs, Jesus (the true Lamb of God) rides into Jerusalem and is chosen by the people as their Messiah (Matthew 21:1-11). It is also significant that during the same time period that the Passover lambs were being taken into the Jewish homes for the next five days, Jesus is found teaching in his Father's house, the Temple of God (Luke 19:47). According to John, five days later, at the same time when thousands of Passover lambs were being sacrificed, the true Passover lamb, Jesus Christ, died on the cross. Truly, it was the blood of the Lamb of God, that was shed on the cross, that protects us from the destroying angel of death and sin. It is because of Him, that we can live.

The Resurrection: Part II – Our Road to Emmaus

Dust filled the air as the two disciples walked the path towards Emmaus. They had just come from Jerusalem and had heard the miraculous stories told by the women who had claimed to see the risen Lord. However, these fanciful stories were too fantastic to believe. As they continued their journey a man in a long robe that covered his face drew nigh unto them. The two began discussing the week’s events with this man; however, as they continued they could see that he had no knowledge of the events that had transpired, and yet he seemed to have the spirit of prophecy with him like no mortal they had known. As they drew near the city of Emmaus they asked the man if he would stay with them for the night; the time was about 4:00 in the afternoon. The man came in unto their home and asked for bread and brake it and gave it unto them. As the scales upon their eyes fell and they realized that the very Lord stood in their midst, he vanished from the room leaving them with a feeling of awe and reverence. “And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” At the same moment they arose and returned in haste to Jerusalem that they might find the disciples before the setting of the sun. (see Luke 24:13-35).

Each of us at some time in our life will find ourselves on the road to Emmaus. We each have been told fanciful stories of grace and mercy that are often more than we can believe. We have been told of stories of power beyond comprehension. Many have heard personal witnesses from others who have claimed to have seen the Savior or who have felt of His love and power. The question will be that while we journey upon our own road of mortal life, how will we respond? Will we believe those who have testified of the Savior and accept his redeeming blood, or will we lack the faith required to believe? When the Lord comes to us through the service of others will we invite them in to sup with us and to partake of those things of which we have been blessed?

Every day we are faced with the opportunity to serve another human being that stands in need of our help. Every day we are given the chance to serve the Lord by giving to those who hunger and thirst. For “inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:40).

When our days upon the earth are past we will not be asked about the size of our homes or how many personal possessions we gained. However, we will be asked if we believed on the words of others in regards to the Savior and if we have served God by serving our fellow man. Though these two disciples at first did not believe, I feel that because they were so willing to serve that the Lord allowed their eyes to be opened and their hearts to be softened that the presence of the Lord would abide with them. In that moment of faltering faith and fear that must have filled their hearts that day as they walked to Emmaus, they had not forgotten the words of their Master to serve others. In their attempt to follow the Lord Christ He blessed them beyond description. That we each may serve the Lord by serving our fellow man, and that we may always stand ready to welcome in the presence of the Lord into our homes and hearts is my prayer on this Sabbath day.

The Resurrection: Part I – The Empty Tomb

It was just before dawn on the first day of the week. The Jewish Sabbath had not yet come to a close. As Mary Magdalene and several other woman walked towards the tomb with lamps in hand to light the way, they peered into the darkened garden. As they looked, they scarcely could believe their eyes! Was the stone rolled away? They began to run towards the rock hewn tomb. They peered inside the tomb and saw that it was empty except for the single burial cloth that had wrapped the body of their Lord. As they stared in amazement, two men in brilliant white robes appeared before their eyes. “Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen: he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him as he said unto you!” Wonder and awe filled their hearts as they rose from the ground and turned on the empty tomb and began to run towards the city gate of Jerusalem. The sun was now just rising over the Mount of Olives. Today was truly a new day! (see Mark 16:6-7)

The day was Sunday morning, just before the daybreak. The time would be around 6:00 A.M. Several women had come to complete the burial process for their Lord. At the burial of a loved one, the family would tightly wrap the body of the deceased with white linen. As they wrapped the body they would place various types of ointments and spices within the folds of the cloth (interestingly one of these ointments was that of myrrh, which was also given to the child Jesus as a gift by the wise men). This embalming was to help to mask the smell of death as the family would continue to come and honor the deceased at the tomb. As they came they were greeted by messengers from heaven who told them that the Lord had risen and that they should go and tell the disciples of the Lord's rising. Upon coming to the disciples, the brethren where slow to believe and decided that they must go and see for themselves. This disbelief is not hard to understand, for though they had seen three individuals raised from the dead by the Lord, never had they seen one who had been resurrected from the dead. It is one thing to see one who has passed on before be restored to life, only to die again, but entirely different to see one raised from the dead, never again to die. Truly, this would be a hard thing to understand or believe. Truly, this was an amazing and miraculous event.

We each, on a daily basis, are given a similar choice. We each have heard testimonies and witness of the Savior. We have felt the power as apostles of the Lord have spoken to us. We have felt peace as we read the words of prophets past who testified of the Savior and of His atoning power. The choice we have is to believe upon the words of others, or to go and seek Him for ourselves. If we lack the faith to believe on the Lord, we should at least go and see for ourselves if what we hear is true. This personal witness will come as we kneel to the Lord and seek for His guidance and witness.

May we each, whether weak or strong in our faith, believe upon the words of prophets and apostles past and present and go and seek this Jesus who is great and mighty to save.

Holy Week: Day of Agony

As the large stone was slowly rolled forward, Mary, the mother of Jesus, wept beyond control. She sat on the ground, with her shoulders down and tears in her eyes. Joseph of Arimathea held her hand as he tried to comfort her in this time of great remorse. Peter stood in quite disbelief. How could Jesus die? How could he die the way he did? He was to be the promised Messiah. Yet, not only had his life been ended, but he had suffered one of the most agonizing deaths imaginable. As the crowd began to disperse from the cold dark tomb, a somber feeling was left by each of the witnesses. This day would truly be a day of agony and remorse; a day of dashed hopes and of losses beyond compare.

The day was Saturday, the Sabbath of the Jews. Jesus’ body had been wrapped and placed in a tomb. The despair that the disciples of Jesus must have felt is beyond description. Less than a week before they had witnessed the great entry of Jesus into the city of Jerusalem, hailed as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He had cast out the money changers of the temple and had called the temple His own. He had spoken with power to the Pharisees and had usurped their power on every hand. He had spoken words of comfort and peace to the disciples in the upper room. He had spoken of kingdoms and greatness; He had spoken of overcoming all things. Yet now He lay in a tomb. His life of teachings and influence had ended literally overnight. From the time of His arrest to the time of His death would not have been more than about 12 hours. He had been tortured and executed. He had died and had been buried. How could He raise a man from the dead, yet He could not prevent His own death. How could He heal the blind and deaf, yet not be able to heal Himself.

How ironic the disciples must have thought, that on this Sabbath day, on which Jehovah had rested from his labors after creating the earth, their Lord and Master would rest and lie in a tomb. The Sabbath was to be a day of delight and joy (see Isaiah 58:13); it was to be a day of rest and rebirth. On the Sabbath Jesus had healed many, yet He could not bring this same power unto Himself (see Luke 13:10-16). This day that was to be a delight, was anything but a delight.

Discipleship by Liz Lemon Swindle

Each of us is faced with moments of despair and depression; moments when we feel lost, alone, and forsaken. At these times of agony we often ask how the Lord could permit such an event to occur. How could the Lord let the righteous suffer so? We may feel that because of our loss the Lord does not love us, or we have in some way displeased the Master. Yet, these moments of despair and loss are given to us that we may learn. It is only after sorrow that we can feel joy; it is only after loss that we can feel restoration; it is only after death that we can know life. Had the disciples witnessed Jesus die of old, they would still have reason to mourn. However, because He died in such an appalling and agonizing way the disciples were given the chance to experience complete loss and total despair. Because of this, when Jesus was raised from the dead the next day, the light, glory, joy, and happiness that must have filled their hearts is beyond description. By His death and suffering He literally helped them to learn what true joy was like. [1]

Though we often may find ourselves in despair, let us look to Christ and put our faith in Him completely and totally. Let us never question what He has told us. Let us never doubt the promises that He has given. He had told His disciples that He would be killed and rise again [2]; yet, the agony of the moment overshadowed their hope. In our times of trial, let us never allow our faith to be overshadowed by fear and sadness. Let our hope be a beacon to the world. Let us always place our faith in the Lord who is mighty to save. For after great trials comes great blessings; after great sadness comes great joy; after death comes life and resurrection.

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

[1] See Sunday will Come, by Joseph B. Wirthlin
[2] See Matthew 16:21, 17:22-23, 20:17-19

Because of Him!

Happy Easter to everyone! What a wonderful message about the Savior. Truly, we can do all things because of Him.

Had I Been There

The script I wrote for our Church Easter Program last year.

Today, with millions of Christians around the world, we commemorate the most significant single day in the history of the universe. As we read from the four Gospels, and from the words of modern-day apostles and prophets, let us ponder the valuable and penetrating question of how we would have responded had we been there in Jerusalem during the Last, Holy Week of the Savior’s mortal life.

As Raymond Brown, a renowned Catholic scholar wrote: “[Would I have welcomed Jesus with palm branches, and shouts of acclimation?] Is it not more likely that I might have been among the disciples who fled from danger, abandoning him? Or at moments in my life have I not played the role of Peter, denying Jesus, or even of Judas, betraying him? Have I not found myself like ... Pilate, trying to avoid a decision between good and evil, [or washing] my hands so that the record could show that I was blameless? Or, most of all, might I not have stood among the religious leaders who condemned Jesus?” (A Crucified Christ, by Raymond Brown, pg. 11-12)

At this time, let us also ponder the perfect and selfless example of the Savior. During His most agonizing, and trying trials, He turned towards others and served them. When He needed comfort, He comforted others. When He needed strength, He bore our burdens to strengthen us. May we ever more, allow the Savior into our lives by becoming more faithful disciples of the Lord, and by following His perfect example.
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On the Thursday of that Holy Week, the Savior held a special Last Supper with His apostles. During this meal He instituted the holy sacrament, washed the dusty feet of His disciples, and taught them and comforted them. Some of the greatest teachings of all scripture are contained in this evening discourse that Jesus gave; a discourse that was meant to comfort and encourage His apostles on this night when all would seem lost.

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27) “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6) “In the world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13) “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” (John 15:12)
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After the Last Supper, Jesus took his disciples to the Mount of Olives. “And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray. And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words. And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him. And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.” (Mark 14:32-42)
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After the excruciating suffering of Gethsemane, Jesus was arrested and taken before both the Jewish and Roman authorities to be judged. On that Friday morning the Creator of the universe, the Great High Priest, the King of kings and Lord of lords was condemned to death for being the very King He was. During these harrowing moments, no one stood with Him. All had fled. All had forsaken Him.

“Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him. And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, they crucified him. And they that passed by reviled him, saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, [saying] He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.” (Matthew 27:27-43)

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin said: “Each of us will have our own Fridays—those days when the universe itself seems shattered and the shards of our world lie littered about us in pieces. We all will experience those broken times when it seems we can never be put together again. We will all have our Fridays. But I testify to you in the name of the One who conquered death—Sunday will come. In the darkness of our sorrow, Sunday will come. No matter our desperation, no matter our grief, in this life or the next, Sunday will come.” (Sunday Will Come, October 2006).
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“Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, [the women] came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: And they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake [unto you] saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. And they remembered his words, And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.” (Luke 24:1-9)
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The scriptures record of many others who were witnesses of the resurrected Lord: Mary Magdeline, Peter, the apostles, Paul, James, the Nephites and Lamanites of 3 Nephi, and hundreds of others. In our day, the risen Lord has appeared once again, visiting Joseph Smith the prophet, and countless others. Today each of the Apostles is a special witness of Christ’s divinity. Only two weeks before his death, Elder Bruce R. McConkie testified, “I am one of his witnesses, and in a coming day I shall feel the nail marks in his hands and in his feet and shall wet his feet with my tears. But I shall not know any better then than I know now that he is God’s Almighty Son, that he is our Savior and Redeemer, and that salvation comes in and through his atoning blood and in no other way. God grant that all of us may walk in the light as God our Father is in the light so that, according to the promises, the blood of Jesus Christ his Son will cleanse us from all sin.” (The Purifying Power of Gethsemane, April 1985)
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As we contemplate the singular events of the death and resurrection of the Lord and Savior, let us remember the words of Elder Jeffrey R. Holland when he said, “My ... plea at Easter time is that these scenes of Christ’s lonely sacrifice, laced with moments of denial and abandonment and, at least once, outright betrayal, must never be reenacted by us. He has walked alone once. Now, may I ask that never again will He have to confront sin without our aid and assistance, that never again will He find only unresponsive onlookers when He sees you and me along His Via Dolorosa in our present day. As we approach this holy week—Passover Thursday with its Paschal Lamb, atoning Friday with its cross, Resurrection Sunday with its empty tomb—may we declare ourselves to be more fully disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, not in word only and not only in the flush of comfortable times but in deed and in courage and in faith, including when the path is lonely and when our cross is difficult to bear. This Easter week and always, may we stand by Jesus Christ “at all times and in all things, and in all places that [we] may be in, even until death,” for surely that is how He stood by us when it was unto death and when He had to stand entirely and utterly alone.” (None Were with Him, April 2009)

Let us this Easter season, renew our efforts to feed the hungry, to lift up the hands of those that hang down, to strengthen the feeble knees, and to comfort those who stand in need of comfort. In short, let us follow the example of the Savior, who when all was dark, brought light to those around him by serving, lifting, and comforting. Let us also, with those of old, be witnesses of Christ in all things. Truly we have reason to rejoice, for Christ the Lord is Risen today!

Holy Week: He Has Risen!

Today I attended the Vespers and Benediction services at the Cathedral of the Madeleine. The music was beautiful; it was a wonderful way to celebrate this glorious day of resurrection. One of the songs they sang, which words were particularly powerful, was about the Savior as the great Passover Lamb:

The Lamb’s high banquet called to share,
Arrayed in garments white and fair,
The Red Sea past, we fain would sing
To Jesus our triumphant King.

Protected in the Paschal night
From the destroying angel’s might,
In triumph went the ransomed free
From Pharaoh’s cruel tyranny.

Now Christ our Passover is slain,
The Lamb of God without a stain;
His flesh, the true unleavened Bread,
Is freely offered in our stead.

O all sufficient Sacrifice,
Beneath Thee hell defeated lies;
Thy captive people are set free,
And crowns of life restored by Thee.

All praise be Thine, O risen Lord,
From death to endless life restored;
All praise to God the Father be
And Holy Ghost eternally. Amen.

Truly, as the children of Israel were freed from Pharaoh's hand by the blood of the lamb, we likewise are freed from Satan's grasp by the blood of the Lamb of God. Glory be to the Father, who gave His only begotten Son, that we might live eternally with Him again. How grateful I am for this day of remembrance; this day of resurrection; this day of joy; this day of rejoicing. The sadness and darkness of Black Saturday is past, Resurrection Sunday has come!