Easter Talk - Bret - April 2020

Happy Easter everybody. Five years ago I had the opportunity to go to Israel on business. I had always wanted to visit Israel, but hadn’t had a chance, so I took this opportunity to go a few days early and also persuaded my wife to go with me. We were able to spend a few days in Jerusalem. It was a month or so before the Passover and Easter holidays. 

One of the many things that impressed me upon our visit was seeing the many people having spiritual experiences as they walked the roads of Palestine. I imagined they were thinking of Christ and remembering the stories of his miracles and teachings. Many of them were in tears as they visited various locations that tradition or history placed Jesus. Many of these places were part of what is called the Via Dolorosa (or way of suffering). Those of you who grew up in other Christian faiths likely are very familiar with the Via Dolorosa and the stations of the cross. It is even more significant during Holy Week, this week we just finished up which starts on Palm Sunday and concludes with the glorious Easter morning in remembrance of Christ’s resurrection. 

Many of the Christian pilgrims would walk the Via Dolorosa, which signifies the path Christ took while holding the cross on the way to His crucifixion. This is usually enacted each Friday (as Friday was the day of Christ’s suffering on the cross), with a huge procession usually happening on the Friday prior to Easter, also called Good Friday. We were able to witness a few people walking this path. You could see on their faces - and for many in their tears - the feelings they were experiencing as they walked the path of their Lord and Savior. It was a great reminder to me that Jesus is not just the Redeemer of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but the Messiah of all people. And there are millions that may not share membership with our church that truly love and try to follow his matchless life. 

It was in that spot, over two thousand years ago, that Jesus Christ actually lived, and died, and lived again. It was there that for all women and men, not just you and I, that he gave his life to atone for the sins of all mankind. I was blessed to be strengthened by the many Christian pilgrims around me on that weekend five years ago. I was impressed by their faith, their devotion, and their emotion. As a student at BYU and through studies of my own, I was aware that Jesus Christ likely did not walk the exact path of the Via Dolorosa. It is also likely that the events at each station might not have all occurred. But what I learned that day in Jerusalem was that it doesn’t matter. What matters most is the change of heart that occurs when we are reminded of the life of the Only-Begotten Son in the Flesh. In fact, we don’t even have to go to Jerusalem to feel that connection with the Savior. We each have our own paths we can walk with reminders of the Messiah. Our temples and ordinances are full of symbols and reminders of his atonement. Our children, our parents, our brothers and sisters, our friends can all be stations in our lives that remind us of Him and make us want to be more like Christ. 

Easter is more than just a holiday where the Easter Bunny visits and we eat chocolate candies and have a large dinner. In fact, this year more than usual we may not be as focused on those aspects due to the unique situation we are all in. What Easter should be is the ultimate reminder of the great vicarious sacrifice that Christ made for us that Holy Week two millennia ago. A yearly reminder that He indeed was arrested and condemned on spurious charges, convicted to satisfy a mob, and sentenced to die on Calvary’s cross. That he suffered the sins and pains of all who would ever live upon the earth. And He did this to give you - and me - the opportunity to be worthy to live with God again. 

On this Easter holiday, let’s take the time to walk our own paths and visit our own stations to remind us of the infinite sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Take time to read his words: watch a video of his selfless life; talk with your friends, family or neighbors about your love for him; call your mom or father or your lonely sibling or friend and tell them you love them; or spend time on your knees thanking our Father in Heaven for the ultimate gift of his Son and, like our prophet has prompted us to do, to “Hear Him.”