Easter started this year for us on the Monday night before Easter Sunday. As a family we each took a day of the week and we discussed what Jesus did during his last week. There was a sweet spirit here that night, as we learned more about Jesus, and his life, and his friends and his enemies.
I was pleasantly surprised several times through the week as I was approached by my children who would say, today is the day he was at the Temple, or today was the day that he spent with his friends in Bethany,
I also heard "Today was the Last Supper". On Friday I spent the morning doing some yard work. This is very new for me, and we have no grass in my back yard, so I actually was using a shovel to "till" our back yard. It was not easy, and although it was no comparison to what the Savior did on that Friday 2,000 years ago when he was crucified. Because my thoughts were of him, my work was easier. It was an unexpected and appreciated blessing.
One of my very favorite scriptures of all time is in John 20:14-15. The story is so real and the picture it creates is so clear. I've never seen an artist give justice to the picture in my mind. This chapter takes place Sunday morning. The Savior's body has laid in a tomb for a day.
His disciples and friends, I am sure, were confused and lost and wondering what the future held for the believers. They had heard Him teach, and knew that He would live again, but they did not understand what that truly meant.
They had never seen it before- without the Savior there to perform the miracle. They understood where He was and knew they would see Him again, but surely they didn't know when or how. When Mary went to the tomb, she went to grieve, it was early in the morning before sunrise. When she noticed the stone rolled away she ran to tell the Chief apostles. They ran back to the tomb and seeing the linen lying where his body had been- they left. She stayed. She was heartbroken. She was overwhelmed. She cried. Anyone who has ever lost a loved one understands this. No wonder she didn't recognize Him when He spoke to her. Until He said her name. And then she knew.
"Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? Whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him "Sir, if thou have borne him hence tell me where thou hast laid him and I will take him away." "Jesus saith unto her Mary. She turned herself and saith unto him, Master."
When I first saw this picture I didn't like it. I like the concept of it, but I thought her head was back too far. However after reading the account in John, and knowing her grief and pain, I get it. I appreciate it. I have grown to love it.
