Category Archives: Easter

Sharing Both Bad and Good News

Christian cathedrals and churches have been destroyed this last week. Will these tragic events be investigated and discussed or will some try to conceal the information? I suppose it depends on certain media outlets…

In my professional experience in education, I notice that some can go to great lengths to conceal information.  Keeping bad news from children in many cases is a transgression. I’m not saying that you go to your kid and start spouting off sorrowful occurrences. I’m saying that you need to be honest and build on details as the child matures. This is actually something that protects them.

For example, I’m still shocked that when I was subbing six years ago, there was no trace of United States patriotism at the school on 9/11. However, I  must add, I have regained hope that adults will share. Three years ago, at another school, sixth-graders were introduced to  the sad events that occurred on 9/11. They were appalled but were strong. Gradually, they will gain more knowledge as they get older.

While life isn’t all candy and ice cream, there is hope. Hope is found though Jesus Christ. There are those who are trying to wipe away His name from the public as well. I believe that by installing Judeo-Christian values in our children, there is more freedom and safety.

One experience that comes to mind happened when I was a small child. I was watching The Ten Commandments with my family. I was terrified at the destroying angel part.

“Dad, what if that happens again?”

He said something like, “If we listen to the prophets, we’ll be okay. They’ll let us know what to do.”

It was a short response, but I was satisfied. I have never forgotten that counsel.

It’s bad to conceal bad news, but it is a deep sin to also conceal the good news–the good news being Jesus Christ.

Women Present at the Death and Resurrection of Christ

Throughout His life, it was clear that Jesus cared for women and they cared for Him. As His death was approaching, we read of women who were standing up for Him and ready to attend to His needs.

If a good woman nowadays could travel back to that point, I think she’d be supportive and proud of these women.

These women were risk takers. You had to be brave if you chose to associate yourself with Jesus. And some were willing to stay with Him to the very end.

The Cross

While Jesus was on the cross, “many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him.”

Jesus  paid special attention to Mary, his mother, while He was on the cross. He addressed his mother and told his apostle John to care and take her away to safety.

When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple [John] standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!

Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. (John 19:26-27)

Mary Magdalene’s name shows up  in all gospel accounts at being present during these dramatic events. The gospels named and described some further women.

According to Matthew: “Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s children.”  (The mother of Zebedee’s is John’s mother. John, the beloved and the one who brought Jesus’ mother to safety.)
Mark said, “Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome….and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.”  
John added, “his [Jesus’] mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas.” The women who were identified were close or related to Jesus or his apostles; it’s a very moving.
Also, the “many women” and “many other women” mention is extraordinary! 

The Tomb

Most of those identified women are mentioned again when they traveled to the tomb and had “prepared ointments and spice,” for the body of Jesus.

A very special moment occurred on the first day of the week, when Mary Magdalene and the “other Mary” went back to the tomb with spices to discover it’s empty but angels were there  who tell them exciting news:

“Why see the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen.”

These two Marys plus a Joanna and “the other women that were with them” reported to the apostles who at first didn’t believe them.  But Peter and John went back with Mary Magdalene to see the tomb was empty.

The Resurrection

After Peter and John left, Mary Magdalene stayed.

And Jesus appeared to her.

Jesus didn’t go to the apostles first– “he appeared first to Mary Magdalene” who reported back to some still doubting disciples.

Women played an active part in the Easter story. They tried to protect Jesus, and he acknowledged them and their importance. There were those who were identified, but there were may other women also ready to help.  This episode in the Bible demonstrate how much women are valued by Jesus Christ.

Bonus video
Produced by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

References:
Matthew 27 and 28
Mark 15 and 16
Luke 23 and 24
John 19 and 20

Further reading:
Mary Magdalene–Tower of Strength

Images:
La Madeleine painting by Pierre Subleyras

The Three Marys at the Tomb painting by Mikołaj Haberschrack, 15th century

The Resurrection Day, after Heinrich Hofmann, published on Bible card; found http://thebiblerevival.com/clipart27.htm

 

Pilate’s Wife: She Tried to Intervene For Jesus

“What is truth?”

Pilate asked Jesus that question. It’s a very appropriate one because of the confusion going on at that time. Within the last day and a half, Jesus had suffered for the sins of the world in Gethsemane which would have killed anyone else. He was betrayed, denied, and left alone by friends. He was moved from court to court being questioned by the Jewish and Roman officials for hours. Any other person would have cracked under such circumstances. But there he stood poised. What was going on? It’s no surprise Pilate “Marvelled greatly.”

Pilate’s wife probably shared those views and worries. She must have struggled with the question “What is truth?” That question—or something similar—likely hovered over her head. Somehow she knew some important truths and was brave enough to step forward. As her husband deliberated, she tried to intervene on Jesus’ behalf.

Brooklyn_Museum_-_The_Message_of_Pilate's_Wife._Pilate_-_James_Tissot

When he [Pilate] was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.

800px-The_dream_of_Pilate's_wife_by_Alphonse_François

As I have pondered that verse, one word sticks out.

Just.

But Pilate was persuaded by Jewish leaders to release a robber in place of Jesus , and put Jesus to death through crucifixion. Even after the declared death sentence, Pilate still tried to convince the people not to crucify him.

He tried to prolong it and did remember the words of his wife. He said to the crowds, “I am innocent of the blood of this just person”

Though Pilate’s wife was no Martha or Mary in describing the divinity of Christ, she knew he was an extraordinary man who was innocent of all the accusations. She was not one of the women who saw the resurrected Lord, but she also had to be brave to face the future.

Ecce_homo_by_Antonio_Ciseri_(2)

A few years later, Pilate’s career plummeted, and she might have been alive when it’s thought he committed suicide. What happened to her?  She had been married to a man that Jews and Romans didn’t respect. Did she feel shame? Did she survive?

Some believe her to be Claudia, a converted Christian, mentioned in 2 Timothy. Romans were weary of Christianity and perhaps early Christians viewed her with suspicions. It would have been a dangerous life.

She was brave in her attempt to intervene for Jesus. In that way, I feel like she could be counted among the women who made sacrifices to champion Him.  I can’t help but think of a James E. Talmage quote:

“The greatest champion of women and womanhood is Jesus Christ.”

She knew little about Jesus Christ, but she was brave in sharing what she knew as truth.

 

(Click here to view a video that gives an overview of Gethsemane, Jesus’ trial and crucifixion, and Resurrection entitled “He is Risen: John the Beloved’s Witness of the Resurrection”)

Sources
Matthew 27
John 18
http://www.womeninthescriptures.com/2009/05/pontius-pilates-wife.html
T
he Illegal Trial of Christ by Steven W. Allen
2 Timothy 4

Images:
The Message of Pilate’s Wife. by James Tissot
The Dream of Pilate’s Wife by Alphonse Francois
Ecce Homo by Antonio Ciseri

 

 

Mary and Martha, Sisters of Bethany

Jesus had made certain preparations to enter while he was in Bethany. While there, he raised Lazarus, brother of Mary and Martha, from the dead.

The family of three had already had encounters with Jesus.
He praised Mary for her choices and comforted Martha about the many things she felt she needed to do.

Johannes_(Jan)_Vermeer_-_Christ_in_the_House_of_Martha_and_Mary_-_Google_Art_Project

Jesus comforted Martha and Mary  again at the time of Lazarus’ death. He also talked about his upcoming death and resurrection. He said to Martha:

“I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?”

And then Martha responded:

“Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.”

Keep in mind, she said this before Lazarus rose from the dead. She wasn’t aware he would perform the miracle. She and Mary both had testimonies and a love for Jesus. And “Jesus loved Martha, and her sister [Mary], and Lazarus.”

Jesus shared their grief. They cried, and “Jesus wept.”

Four days after, Jesus called, “Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave clothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.”

This miracle strengthened the faith of those who already believed and hopefully those who were impressed would study and pray more of Jesus’ teachings. There were those, though, who didn’t share in the happiness at all.

They were the ones who went to the Pharisees. “Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation…then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.”

While others were plotting Jesus’ death, he was preparing for it. He and his apostles spent time pondering in the wilderness and he purified the temple. Jesus came back to Bethany six days before Passover. “Martha served.” “Lazarus…sat at the table with him,” and Mary “anointed the feet of Jesus.”Legend_of_Sts._Mary_and_Martha_(detail) These acts of the three siblings were examples of their dedication—though Judas Iscariot was critical of Mary’s sacrifice, saying she should have saved expensive ointments for the poor (in reality, he was ready to put the spices in his bag for himself). Jesus told him “to let her alone” and gave a lesson about sacrifices and the poor. This teaching moment also included that men need to respect women.

Jesus was grateful for Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. His stay in their town would strengthen him for the week to come. While in Bethany, Jesus had disciples get a donkey that had never been sat on so he could enter Jerusalem. The Son of God would enter not as a worldly king who would enter a city on a horse (which sometimes symbolizes war), but a king that would offer hope. Jesus was the “prince of Peace.”

As Jesus entered the city, people “took branches of palm trees and went forth to meet him” and like Martha, knew His importance. “When citizens heard Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, they “cried Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.” Many Jews and even other people of different nations came to worship Him. Others were still plotting. Jesus would continue to teach, perform miracles and show he loved all his children.

Sources:
Luke 10; John 11; John 12; Luke 19Mark 11Matthew 21

 

Paintings:
“Christ in the House of Martha and Mary” by Johannes Vermeer
“Raising of Lazarus” by Carl Bloch
“…Of Saints Mary and Martha” Creator: Mast of the Wielowies Tripych