Matthew 27-28 The betrayal, arrest, sentencing and crucifixion

These two chapters are full of emotion!  Reading, studying and re-reading have imprinted the events of Christ's last hours upon my soul.  An added blessing from our Mission is to teach of HIS life to others as we walk among the believers and cry out at HIS persecution, mockery and pain! It is almost as though we were there...

He was taunted by the whole band of soldiers who stripped him and put a reed in his hand, placed a crown of thorns on his head and a scarlet robe on his wounded back, then bowed before him and mocked him saying, "Hail King of the Jews!"  They spit upon him and smote him on the head and crucified HIM!  The description of the pain from crucifixion was horrible...
The Savior permitted the scourging and other painful and humiliating acts to be done to Him!  

Have you ever stopped to think...If Jesus had fought back, yelled profanity or committed any kind of sin during this time of horrible treatment...Satan would have won!  There was no one else who could atone for our sins!  ALL of Heavenly Father's children would be lost.  Not one of us would make it back to our Heavenly Father.  The Savior could have passed the cup away...He chose to keep it.  He could have called legions of Angels to come and protect Him...He chose to endure it all...for US!

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland: "It was required, indeed it was central to the significance of the Atonement, that this perfect Son who had never spoken ill nor done wrong nor touched an unclean thing had to know how the rest of humankind--us, all of us--would feel when we did commit such sins.  For His Atonement to be infinite and eternal, He had to feel what it was like to die not only physically but spiritually, to sense what it was like to have the divine Spirit withdraw, leaving one feeling totally abjectly, hopelessly alone" (JRH May 2009 "None were with Him.")

I absolutely cannot comprehend what Mary, his dear mother, was going through!  I have imagined her immense grief!  I know she had faith, but could she hold on to her faith as she watched his pain?  I know she was chosen of the Lord...did she know it would be this hard?
Since the Atonement of Jesus Christ was the most important event to happen in all time and eternity I imagine the halls of Heaven silent as each of us offered prayers to strengthen Him.  He stayed true to His mission to save us all.  How grateful are we!  We are so Thankful to the Savior for completing the ransom for our souls.

Then that Sunday morning, His loved ones came. They came in disbelief that the man they knew to be the Son of God could have his life taken in such horror, right before their eyes!  They came with aching hearts, wondering what would be come of their lives without HIM.

The Angel announced, "Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.  He is not here: for he is risen, as he said"...

My mind would be racing!  What did I see, was that an angel? What did he mean...risen?  Then the sweet feeling of the Spirit testifying, HE IS RISEN!  He, the Son of God, had power over death and broke the bands of death for all of us!  What a gift!  What a delight!  From sullen sadness to exultant joy in but a few words.


We are so thankful for JESUS CHRIST and for the blessings we have because of HIM!

What difference does it make in your life to know the reality of the Resurrection?