Holy Week: Day Four

“The day is spent outside the city of Jerusalem, perhaps in Bethany. The scriptures do not indicate what the Savior does on this day." His Final Days, The New Era, April 2006

We take a moment today to be grateful for family and dear friends. I like to think that our Savior spent the day with his family and friends. His final moments with them were bittersweet. How his closest confidents must have loved to be in his presence, to learn at his feet. He loved them and they loved him. Yet only he knew of the lonely road he would soon walk. He bore a sadness that foreshadowed the crushing physical pain and spiritual anguish soon to come. He told his disciples, "Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death," (Matthew 20:18.) Did their eyes linger on his beloved face a little longer that day, knowing he would leave them soon? Did they listen eagerly, desperately, to each divine word he spoke? Did they understand how soon his words would come to pass when he told them, (verse 19) "And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him." Did they believe literally in his promise "and the third day he shall rise again."

He walked the lonely road to Calvary alone, so that we do not have to walk alone. He will be there in our hour of need, to love, to strengthen, to forgive, to inspire. We should be there for each other in the same way. By doing this, we will be there for Him also.