Holy Week: Saturday--Sacred Silence

Scriptures:

• A guard is placed at the tomb (Matthew 27:62-66)
• Darkness prevails among the Nephites (3 Nephi 9-10)
• Jesus goes to the spirit world and organizes his work there (1 Peter 3:18-4:6; D&C 138)

A really great talk on the work Jesus did on the Saturday before Easter is by Spencer J. Condie, "The Savior's Visit to the Spirit World."

I have been thinking about this hymn:

Behold the Great Redeemer Die

1. Behold the great Redeemer die,
A broken law to satisfy.
He dies a sacrifice for sin,
He dies a sacrifice for sin,
That man may live and glory win.

2. While guilty men his pains deride,
They pierce his hands and feet and side;
And with insulting scoffs and scorns,
And with insulting scoffs and scorns,
They crown his head with plaited thorns. 

3. Although in agony he hung,
No murm'ring word escaped his tongue.
His high commission to fulfill,
His high commission to fulfill,
He magnified his Father's will 

4. "Father, from me remove this cup.
Yet, if thou wilt, I'll drink it up.
I've done the work thou gavest me,
I've done the work thou gavest me;
Receive my spirit unto thee." 

5. He died, and at the awful sight
The sun in shame withdrew its light!
Earth trembled, and all nature sighed,
Earth trembled, and all nature sighed
In dread response, "A God has died!" 

6. He lives—he lives. We humbly now
Around these sacred symbols bow
And seek, as Saints of latter days,
And seek, as Saints of latter days,
To do his will and live his praise. 

Text: Eliza R. Snow, 1804-1887

By Doc Christensen 

Ponder on this picture for a moment.











This hymn is powerful as we think about the purpose of the Son of God coming as a sacrifice for us. The last two verses really resonate with me.

The phrase "Earth trembled, and all nature sighed, in dread response, 'A God has died!'" is very interesting to ponder. Think about the times that you "sigh;" it is usually when we are overwhelmed or exhausted. Even the Earth recognized the impact of the events of that Holy Week--the Triumphal Entry, the Last Supper, the Atonement, the death of Christ on the cross--and nature "sighed in dread response" to all that happened that week.

I felt I have had quite the journey in my scripture study this Holy Week. I felt I have come closer to my Savior as I have made great effort to gain revelation and inspiration. I am overwhelmed by all that took place and what it means to me.

Today is a great day to go to the temple, to do family history work, to just "sigh" in dread response to the death of our Savior, but also "sigh" in relief that we know He rose again.

Invitation:
Read Joseph F. Smith's account of receiving the revelation on Christ in the Spirit world and recognize how he prepared himself to receive that great revelation.

 D&C 138

How can we seek and gain revelation, inspiration, and promptings more in our life?
How can we be closer to the whisperings of God's Spirit and act as Jesus would act?
How can we be the Lord's hands and Christ's disciples?