Why? As most who are Christians know the Easter celebration is about the final week of the life of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, some of the activities he was involved in during that last week are over looked. Much emphasis is placed on the Crucifixion. To some degree the Last Supper and time he spent in the Garden of Gethsemane, where he atoned for our sins, is downplayed. The whole week has to be taken into context and then remembered that all of it like a package has to considered together. We can't take the time in the garden out, or the other elements and still get the whole Infinite and Eternal Atonement of Christ.
"The cross is used in many Christian churches as a symbol of the Savior's death and Resurrection and as a sincere expression of faith. As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we also remember with reverence the suffering of the Savior. But because the Savior lives, we do not use the symbol of His death as the symbol of our faith." Topics - Cross
With all of this you begin to say hey what do you use as a symbol to represent that you are a Christian? Most would say they use the cross. But, that indicates they put a lot of emphasis on the crucifixion. I would rather put more emphasis on the resurrection. That glorious moment when he overcame physical death, due to the consequences of Adam and Eve partaking of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. I would rather dwell on the suffering of Jesus in the Garden, where he sweat from every pore drops of blood, than the dying on the cross. For Christ is alive as so many of us believe, why is it then that they use the cross (symbol of his death), to represent that they are Christian?
Gordon B Hinckley a special witness of the Savior Jesus Christ relays the following experience.
"Following
the renovation of the Mesa Arizona Temple some years ago, clergy of
other religions were invited to tour it on the first day of the open
house period. Hundreds responded. In speaking to them, I said we would
be pleased to answer any queries they might have. Among these was one
from a Protestant minister.
Said he: “I’ve been all through this building, this temple which carries on its face the name of Jesus Christ,
but nowhere have I seen any representation of the cross, the symbol of
Christianity. I have noted your buildings elsewhere and likewise find an
absence of the cross. Why is this when you say you believe in Jesus
Christ?”
I responded: “I do not wish to give offense to any of my Christian
colleagues who use the cross on the steeples of their cathedrals and at
the altars of their chapels, who wear it on their vestments, and
imprint it on their books and other literature. But for us, the cross is
the symbol of the dying Christ, while our message is a declaration of
the Living Christ.”
He then asked: “If you do not use the cross, what is the symbol of your religion?”
I
replied that the lives of our people must become the most meaningful
expression of our faith and, in fact, therefore, the symbol of our
worship."
"And so, because our Savior lives, we do not use the symbol of His death
as the symbol of our faith. But what shall we use? No sign, no work of
art, no representation of form is adequate to express the glory and the
wonder of the Living Christ. He told us what that symbol should be when
He said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15)."
You see the best thing we can use as Christians in not a symbol per say. Not something like a cross around our neck, not a fish representation, not a dove with some words about prince of peace as a bumper sticker. Not even a silhouette of a temple or the Angel Moroni commonly found a top one.
No the symbol we need to use as a representation of our faith is our lives. Our lives lived in such a way that we emulate the teachings of Christ. Especially, the commandment found in Matthew 5:44
... aLove your benemies, cbless them that dcurse you, do egood to them that fhate you, and gpray for them which despitefully use you, and hpersecute you;
"Our lives must be the
expression of our faith. When we are baptized and confirmed, we covenant
to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ. The way we
live our lives should demonstrate our love for the Savior
and His work." Topics - Cross
You see the best way we can show we are Christians is to act like a true follower of Christ. It does not good to put up a good appearance at church on Sunday and then turn around and do unspeakable things during the week. We really, need to turn the other cheek when smitten, to pray for those that do harm to us, and treat people like we want to be treated.
I know I'm guilty of this a much as the next. Have you found it hard to seed space to someone in the middle of rush hour traffic? Are you complaining when you have to wait for someone to cross the street, or have issues at the store and must wait extra because the person ahead of you in line is taking what seems like forever? All of these small things we can work on , and eventually get ourselves to a point of being more Christ like. Then with time we will have more and more people attracted to us..... for the crass, and judgemental will not have to many people wanting to hang our with them. Act more Christ-Like and you will have more friends.
For this is what Christ purpose on earth was. To ransom us from the pains of physical and spiritual death. For only through and by him can we have any chance of returning to live with our Father in Heaven. It is by and through him that we are alive, so we shall not dwell on his death by use of the cross.
"And
now, as pertaining to this perfect atonement, wrought by the shedding
of the blood of God—I testify that it took place in Gethsemane and at
Golgotha, and as pertaining to Jesus Christ, I testify that he is the
Son of the Living God and was crucified for the sins of the world. He is
our Lord, our God, and our King. This I know of myself independent of
any other person.
I
am one of his witnesses, and in a coming day I shall feel the nail
marks in his hands and in his feet and shall wet his feet with my tears.
But
I shall not know any better then than I know now that he is God’s
Almighty Son, that he is our Savior and Redeemer, and that salvation
comes in and through his atoning blood and in no other way.
God
grant that all of us may walk in the light as God our Father is in the
light so that, according to the promises, the blood of Jesus Christ his
Son will cleanse us from all sin."
The Purifying Power of Gethsemane Bruce R. McConkieJesus Cristo vive and por meio dele podemos novamente voltar para viver com nosso Paí Celeste. Por Ele pagou por nossos pecados e venceu a morte causado por Adâo e Eve no Jardim.
Jesus é nosso Salvador e intermediario com Deus.
Buaidh - NO - Bas
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