Now begins my journey on the Easter week...
Saturday
An important holiday called Passover was only six days away. Many people were coming to Jerusalem so they could offer sacrifices in the temple on that day. Jesus walked to Bethany, a village near Jerusalem. He would stay there for five nights with His friends Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. Mary anointed His feet with oil.
See John 12:1–3.
This story is one of my favorites in the scriptures because when you think about it it's not every day that someone has their feet anointed with oil. However, Mary took the time to anoint the Lord's feet with oil to show of her love for Him. It may help to think about why Mary, Martha, and Lazarus are so important during this time. Well, you may recall that Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead proving that He could do all things by the power His Father gave Him. What does this show me? Well, This same Power is something my father, brothers, and best guy friends hold (they know who they are). It is called the Power of the Holy Priesthood. Lately, my oldest brother and I have been talking tons about the power that is in the priesthood. The most interesting aspect of the Priesthood is that it in some ways forces the men to serve. Christ was/is the ultimate symbol of service, love, and sacrifice. A young man who hold the Priesthood cannot give himself a blessing for the sick, or any other kind of blessing... as with any of the rest of us. In my church we have what we call consecrated oil. It is set aside for the healing of the sick and afflicted, and many Melchizedek Priesthood holders have this oil with them, but they cannot use it on themselves. Because a person cannot bless themself. If you think about it when you pray it is the Lord blessing you, not you blessing yourself. Even in other churches they have some of the significance of being "healed" by the power of some higher being. But they have to go to a priest or reverent. I'm proud that my brothers, my father, and my closest friends have this power from God. Throughout the years I have received many blessing given by them, but from God. So, I may not have been resurrected from the dead, but I have been strengthened from the blessing and healed of illnesses over the years.
This is why I love the story of Lazarus it shows that Christ and God can overcome many things... and help others to overcome things too.
See John 12:1–3.
This story is one of my favorites in the scriptures because when you think about it it's not every day that someone has their feet anointed with oil. However, Mary took the time to anoint the Lord's feet with oil to show of her love for Him. It may help to think about why Mary, Martha, and Lazarus are so important during this time. Well, you may recall that Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead proving that He could do all things by the power His Father gave Him. What does this show me? Well, This same Power is something my father, brothers, and best guy friends hold (they know who they are). It is called the Power of the Holy Priesthood. Lately, my oldest brother and I have been talking tons about the power that is in the priesthood. The most interesting aspect of the Priesthood is that it in some ways forces the men to serve. Christ was/is the ultimate symbol of service, love, and sacrifice. A young man who hold the Priesthood cannot give himself a blessing for the sick, or any other kind of blessing... as with any of the rest of us. In my church we have what we call consecrated oil. It is set aside for the healing of the sick and afflicted, and many Melchizedek Priesthood holders have this oil with them, but they cannot use it on themselves. Because a person cannot bless themself. If you think about it when you pray it is the Lord blessing you, not you blessing yourself. Even in other churches they have some of the significance of being "healed" by the power of some higher being. But they have to go to a priest or reverent. I'm proud that my brothers, my father, and my closest friends have this power from God. Throughout the years I have received many blessing given by them, but from God. So, I may not have been resurrected from the dead, but I have been strengthened from the blessing and healed of illnesses over the years.
This is why I love the story of Lazarus it shows that Christ and God can overcome many things... and help others to overcome things too.
