12 Days of Easter: Day 2-- Christ's Friends and Enemies

Sorry I haven't been posting. Easter wasn't planned very well this year :S. It's 12 days go over my busiest weekend! :) jk.

So, here are some thoughts I've been having. I've been thinking about the people who are in Christ's story, and thought I'd mention a few of them.

Judas

I don't understand Judas. He had walked for three years with the greatest man on earth, and then basically sold him. 

One of my teachers pointed out that although Judas had done a terrible deed, the thirty pieces of silver were used for good. After Judas killed himself, the priests took the money back, and "...bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in." (a potter's field was the poorer people's graveyard). 

Angel

Luke 22:42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. 43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.

I love this. Even though Heavenly Father couldn't take the cup from His Beloved Son, He sent someone to be with Him. Imagine the honor of being that angel; sent down to comfort the Savior during the greatest trial that was ever experienced.

Peter

Luke 22: 33 And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. 34 And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

And we later see that this was fulfilled.

Joseph of Arimathea

Matt 27:57 When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathæa, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’disciple:58 He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.59 And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,60 And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.

What an awesome guy! I wish we knew more about Joseph. He may have risked his position, or offered to risk his wealth to obtain the Savior's body. And after that he didn't just put him in an ordinary spot; he put him in his own new tomb. Let me say it again. What an awesome guy!

Soldiers

Matt 28:11 ¶...Behold, some of the watch (the soldiers who'd been guarding the tomb) came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.
12 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,
13 Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.
14 And if this come to the governor’s ears (if you get in trouble for lying), we will persuade him, and secure you.
15 So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day. 

To close, here is a wonderful video with exerpts from Jeffery R Holland's talk "None were with Him":
(full talk here) https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/04/none-were-with-him?lang=eng

I know that Christ walked the lonely road for us. I know that through the example of the Angel, Joseph of Arimathea, and the repentance of Peter we can see how we can best honor Him and help others around us.