Easter Sunday

Today, we celebrate the end of Christ’s mission. He had suffered in Gethsemane, taking our sins upon Himself. He was arrested, given a mock trial, and found guilty. He was sentenced to death for His supposed offenses.

He had faced temptation like no one else. The devil threw everything at Him, hoping He would sin and fail. He resisted temptation and did not sin.

He suffered in Gethsemane. He did not want to go through this suffering. He prayed, “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42). He suffered so much, “blood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people” (Mosiah 3:7).

He was nailed to a cross. He was placed where He could be seen by all who passed by. Crucifixion was a humiliating and excruciatingly painful form of death. He was mocked by many. In His last moments, He was alone. He had to be alone. God had withdrawn to the farthest part of Heaven because of His suffering. He cried, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46).

He had the power to save Himself. But, He had to willingly sacrifice His life. He was the Lamb without flaw.

Then, the time had arrived. He knew he had succeed. He cried, “[i]t is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost” (John 19:30). He had won. He defeated sin and we could now repent and return to our Father’s presence.

One more thing had to be done. He had to conquer death. He was placed in a borrowed grave. A stone was placed in front of the tomb to prevent His disciples from stealing His body. He remained there for three days.

On the third day, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb. The stone had been moved and the tomb was empty. She saw two angels. She asked where they had placed the Savior’s body. She received the most profound and triumphant words ever spoken. “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said” (Matthew 28:6).

She walked away. “[s]he turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. 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, Rabboni; which is to say, Master” (John 20:14-16).

Sin had been conquered. Now, death lost its sting. Though we die, we will once again live through Christ’s resurrection.

Today we celebrate Christ’s completion of His mission in life. We look to Christ as our Savior, our Redeemer for salvation.

And all this was done for us.