Various witnesses who saw Jesus in His resurrected state. First among them were Mary Magdalene and other women who had come to the tomb to anoint His body for burial. Next were the Apostles of Christ. Their testimonies teach us of Christ, and we, in turn, bear our testimonies to teach others.
In the beginning of the first three chapters we read for class this week – Matthew 28, Luke 24, and John 20 – we learn that several women ventured to the tomb to prepare Christ’s body. There, the find not their deceased friend Jesus, but two angels who proclaim that “He is risen!” In Matthew 28:7, the women are instructed to share this divinely presented news with the disciples. In fact, Mary Magdalene meets the Lord Himself, before His body and spirit are reunited (John 20:14-15). Later, Christ appears to the disciples (Matthew 28:16-20). After He speaks to them, they are then instructed to teach all nations of the joyful news; in short, they are told to bear their testimonies.
Most of us have not seen the Savior Jesus Christ. We have, however, felt the promptings of the Spirit, which testify that the things we ponder in the scriptures are true. We have felt the joy and peace that comes from repentance, and from walking in faith. We know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true, and is taught in the church today.
Like the women of old, who received their news from divine messengers and were sent to tell others, we bear a responsibility to share the joy of the gospel. Our divine messenger may be “only” the Holy Ghost, rather than two angels, but the Holy Ghost bears a powerful witness; indeed, more powerful than angels or visions.
Have you ever watched someone who joins the church? They are almost always on fire with the gospel message. They tell everyone they meet, and even folks they don’t know. Why is this? Because they have felt the joy of the gospel, and recognize the contrast that comes when you have Christ in your life versus when you are living without Him. They can still remember the emptiness or despair they felt – even when they didn’t know they felt it – because they did not truly know our Savior.
I challenge all of you today to ponder the peace and joy the Savior has brought into your life. Cast your mind back to whatever time when you did not have a testimony, and think about the difference in your heart now. Don’t you want to share that joy, that peace, with those you love and care for the most? Don’t you, too, want to be a witness of the Resurrected Lord?
For other blogs on this week’s Sunday School lesson, click on the Gospel Doctrine link at right.
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