![A Sri Lankan \"crucifixion\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/186\/2016\/03\/800px-Cross_in_sunset.jpg\")
<\/a>(Wikimedia Commons public domain image<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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\u201cThe Goodness of the Cross and Good Friday: Lessons from Bavaria,\u201d<\/a> written by John W. Welch<\/a><\/p>\n Abstract:\u00a0<\/strong>It is natural to wonder how the day on which Jesus was crucified could come to be known as Good Friday. In this exploration of the topic, John Welch examines the many events which occurred on that fateful day and the meaning they have for us today.<\/em><\/p>\n [Editor\u2019s Note:<\/strong>\u00a0This article is based on a talk delivered on Good Friday, April\u00a02, 2021, to the German Missions Reunion in Salt Lake City. It has been lightly edited for publication.]<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p><\/blockquote>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n We are entering into the Easter weekend.\u00a0 On the whole, apart from Easter-egg hunts, \u201clow-church\u201d American Protestants \u2014 and American Latter-day Saints, whose culture basically emerged from \u201clow-church\u201d American Protestantism \u2014\u00a0 don\u2019t pay much attention to Good Friday or Holy Saturday, and our Easters themselves are too often somewhat perfunctory.\u00a0 That\u2019s unfortunate, in my opinion, and I\u2019m pleased to see that a movement seems to have arisen within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints<\/a> \u2014 it was certainly noticeable at last weekend\u2019s General Conference of the Church.\u00a0 Happily, an English-born neighbor brought over some hot cross buns<\/a>\u00a0just a few minutes ago, as she has done for a number of years now.\u00a0 Easter weekend is, thus, officially underway.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n In honor thereof, I offer a poetic meditation on the event that today\u2019s holiday commemorates.\u00a0 It may require two or three slow, careful readings :<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cGood Friday,\u201d by Christina Rosetti<\/p>\n Am I a stone, and not a sheep, Not so those women loved Not so the Sun and Moon Yet give not o\u2019er, \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Here are some of the Easter-related columns that I used to publish in the Deseret News<\/em>, one or two of which may be of interest to my one or two readers:<\/p>\n \u201cThe mysterious 40-day ministry of Jesus after Easter\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cCan modern people believe in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ?\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cEaster\u2019s answer to the \u2018terrible question\u2019: One of the most obvious facts facing human beings is the inevitability of death\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cEvidence of Jesus Christ\u2019s resurrection\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cReligion matters in death\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cLife after death is a joyful fact\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThe days leading up to Easter Sunday\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cPalm Sunday led to liberation from death\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThe gospel truly brings joyful news\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cChrist\u2019s resurrection was a witnessed fact, not a later fantasy\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cIn submission is our salvation\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cA \u2018great cloud of witnesses\u2019 at Easter\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and C.S. Lewis on the hope of Easter\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n I\u2019ve also written at least one Easter-related piece for Meridian Magazine<\/em>:<\/p>\n \u201cAn Ancient Witness of the Savior We Don\u2019t Often Hear About\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n And here are some relevant specimens from the biweekly column that my late (and much missed) friend and colleague Bill Hamblin and I used to write for the Deseret News<\/em>:<\/p>\n \u201cHoly Week aids Easter reflections\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThe words of Easter\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThe holy light of Easter in Jerusalem\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThe challenge of the empty tomb\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThe tomb of Jesus\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cChoosing the date of Easter and how Western, Eastern celebrations are on the same day this year\u201d<\/a> \u00a0(2017)<\/p>\n Rebecca Reynolds Lambert wrote the Interpreter Foundation\u2019s Easter message for last year, 2022, but I somehow omitted it from yesterday\u2019s list.<\/p>\n \u201cOur Faithful Lord: Passover to Easter\u201d<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Abstract:\u00a0<\/strong>Studying the origins and traditions of Passover enriches our understanding of Easter. We can deepen our own worship and expand our ritual memory by an acquaintance with these traditions. Latter-day Saints possess unique understandings that further illuminate the constancy and plenitude of the Lord\u2019s covenantal relationship with us.<\/em><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Additionally, I want to share with you an excellent article by a different<\/em> Peterson.\u00a0 He too used to do columns (irregularly) for the Deseret News<\/em>, and in this column he actually dared \u2014 the French term l\u00e8se-majest\u00e9<\/em> comes to mind \u2014 to cast\u00a0a bit of doubt on something that I had written in \u201cThe Words of Easter,\u201d above:<\/p>\n \u201cThink Easter\u2019s symbols are all pagan? Many are more Christian than you think\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n And I like this New York Times<\/em> article, which was published just yesterday:<\/p>\n \u201cA Na\u00efve Reading of the Gospels May Be Just What Christianity Needs\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n And this short essay is worth a look:<\/p>\n<\/a>
In this image, Christ is pulling Adam (on the left) and Eve (on the right) from their tombs. Beneath his feet, Satan lies bound and you can see the broken doors of the gates of Hell (and parts of the shattered lock mechanism of those gates).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\nThat I can stand, O Christ, beneath Thy cross,
\nTo number drop by drop Thy blood\u2019s slow loss,
\nAnd yet not weep?<\/p>\n
\nWho with exceeding grief lamented Thee;
\nNot so fallen Peter, weeping bitterly;
\nNot so the thief was moved;<\/p>\n
\nWhich hid their faces in a starless sky,
\nA horror of great darkness at broad noon \u2013
\nI, only I.<\/p>\n
\nBut seek Thy sheep, true Shepherd of the flock;
\nGreater than Moses, turn and look once more
\nAnd smite a rock.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/a>
(Wikimedia Commons public domain image)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n