“Our Savior and Redeemer,” Friend, Apr 1999, 39
I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live (John 11:25).
Knowing that the end of His life was near, Jesus Christ led His Apostles to the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives. He told them, “Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder” (Matt. 26:36). Then, after He left them and kneeled to pray, He suffered great pain for our sins. The pain was so great that He pleaded, “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
“And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
“And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” (Luke 22:42–44.)
Later that night, one of the Savior’s Apostles, Judas, betrayed Him by leading a group of His enemies to Him. Jesus was arrested, unfairly tried, and nailed to a cross. (See John 18:3–5; John 19:1–18.)
After hanging on the cross for six hours and enduring intense pain, the Savior said, “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit” (Luke 23:46). Then He bowed His head and died.
Jesus Christ’s body was taken to a borrowed tomb, where it was wrapped in white linens and tenderly laid inside. A large stone was rolled in front of the entrance, and soldiers were ordered to stand guard. For two days His body lay in the tomb, and the soldiers kept watch. (See Matt. 27:57–66.)
Then before the morning sun of the third day, “there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door. …
“And for fear of him the keepers [guards] did shake, and became as dead men.” (Matt. 28:2, 4.)
When Mary Magdalene and Mary came to visit the tomb that morning, the angel “said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
“He is not here: for he is risen.” (Matt. 28:5–6.) The Savior was not there because He had been resurrected and He was about His Father’s business.
Heavenly Father sent His Son Jesus Christ to earth to save us from our sins. If we repent of what we have done wrong, we will be forgiven because of the atoning sacrifice of the Savior. And, like the Savior, we will all be resurrected someday.
Filed under: Easter, Lesson 45 Easter, Lesson 45 Easter, easter, Easter Fannel Board story, Our Savior and Redeemer
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