“An Angel? For Jesus?”

It started early morn with a warm bath, a fresh new outfit, gloves, pat and leather black or white shoes, lace handkerchief and off we went to Easter mass with Grandma in her brand new dress, homemade shoes, and pink lipstick that lightened up her beautiful and flawless complexion. And of course, her rapturous perfume “Maja” (from Spain) which she even splashed on the top of our heads.  I have no memory about what the whole mass thing was all about but I always felt a certain sacredness about the entire day with its rituals.

There was the coloring of hard boiled eggs with my sister and Aunt Grace who’s only a year and a half older than me, the putting together of construction paper baskets, drawing Easter cards, and singing that silly song “Here Comes Peter Cotton Tail.”

 On the special day, there was the egg hunts, humongous fancy baskets, nasty yellow marshmallow chicks, chocolate eggs of every color, fuzzy stuffed animals, games and the ham with potato salad always prepared a day ahead, plus without fail, kids laughter, squealing—noise--all hinged by chaos. None of these things were “exciting” to me, and though I thoroughly enjoyed being with family and friends, I never understood the core meaning of this tradition.  The one thing that connected everything in my brain was “Rebirth.”

        Time, experience and the teachings of the scriptures has helped me shed the ignorance of younger years. Don’t take me wrong, I see these traditions as beautiful opportunities to bring the family together, play with our little ones, share good food and company and add one more page to our scrapbook. 

I’m thankful for every one of my childhood memories, they transfigured my little soul to appreciate so much careful attention my family placed in these celebratory occasions, all--to bring me happiness into our lives..

   The sacrifice of our Savior has always been a topic grabbing my attention, inspiring me to search  unto Him. It’s filled my heart with awe and my eyes with tears. Presently, I am rereading “Jesus The Christ” by Elder James E. Talmage and it’s made my soul hunger and thirst after Him in a voracious manner.  Since Easter arrives next Sunday, I’ve been turned to studying Christ’s last week of life from the four Gospels. Also, have been reading dfferent talks on

The atonement by many speakers and a myriad of testimonies of the Savior’s life. They’ve all blessed my heart and strengthened me throughout this very hard week.

Studying about the last week of Jesus has brought me many insights. However, one particular chapter, five tiny verses have been my focus.

Luke 22

40 And when he was at the place, (the Garden of Gethsamane) he said unto them, (Peter, James and John) Pray that ye enter not into ^atemptation.

41And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,

42Saying, Father, if thou be willing, ^aremove this cup from me: nevertheless not my ^bwill, but thine, be done.

43And there appeared an ^aangel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.

44And being in an ^aagony he prayed more earnestly: ^band his sweat was as it were great drops of ^cblood falling down to the ground.

I had to stop and ask, why didn’t God, the Father, who never left Jesus alone, choose one of the chosen and special witnesses/Apostles, the distance of a stone cast, to go quickly and comfort Jesus?   

We are taught by Elder Talmage that this Chosen Angel was Michael, also known as Adam.  Obviously, the suffering and pain, both body and mind, had to have been consumming His godly stamina while provoking his steadfast faith to tremble!  I can’t even imagine the agony!

In my understanding, God, the Father had to, in all his mercy, send His only Begotten someone who could fully understand, help Jesus keep focusing on bigger picture through the torment due to Satan’s attack,.  It wasn’t that Jesus forgot his divinity nor was He going to falter in enduring to the last drop. However, it taught me that He, too, needed the physical, spiritual support, succor, empathy, understanding and comfort that we all basically need when we are racked with pain, be it physical, mental, emotional or spiritual. This “bitter cup” was also an unknown to the Unspotted,Pure and Humble Lamb of God. He had no former insight into how agonyzing this experience would be. It was also confusing bringing in a mixture of self-doubt, deeper dependance on His Father,  Truly, when the scriptures teach us that He understands and can succor us, its not just written words, a semi-comprehenxion but a depth we have yet to grasp. 

     Absorbing these verses, I come a little nearer to understanding Him, therefore, myself. I also realized, again, that the Angel did not appear until Jesus reached the shoreline of personal and developed faith and strrength.  When he at last wept and uttered tenderly, giving up his entire self to the moment in time, “nevertheless, not my will but thines,” was the Angel sent! I can’t say I always show total humility during my trial before expecting deliverance or greater strength.I’m learning though that the faster we give up the self, our will to His will, do I receive true rest to my body and mind.

   I’m so thankful my sisters, Mom, and I shared this yoke of Muscular Dystrophy as “one.” Neither one of us could say, “You just don’t understand! or, “Put yourself in my shoes for once and see how you like it?!” We were all lifting the same cross, we were all lifting one another when our gulp of our individual bitter cup so we would not merely fall but succeed. This understanding of affliction has spilled over into all my other relationships.

 I believe we are often, if not daily, that indicated “angel” for another as was the Angel who strengthened Jesus.

      My sister Tanya is (to me) the twin to Martha Stewart!  She can create some wonderful thing out of a safety pin and a few shiny beads!  (I want to slap her at times!)

Many years ago she came up with a wonderful  Easter greeting. “Happy Future Resurrection!” See what I mean!? Ingenious!  But that’s exactly what Easter is all about in a nutshell, don’t you think?  Beside being a woman of great faith, Tanya has always seemed to mingle with angels by how often and naturally included them in conversations, prayers and viewpoints. Angels have become a topic of interest and research for me.

Recently I heard a beautiful devotional by Elder Richard Winkel in a talk called: “On to Victory.” I quote: “Elder Melvin J. Ballard, grandfather of our current apostle, M. Russell Ballard, said that, “It is with greater intensity that the hearts of the fathers and mothers in the spirit world are turned to their children than that our hearts are turned to them.” Elder Ballard also said that it was made known unto him that “because of the righteous dead who had received the gospel in the spirit world and in answer to their prayers Elders of the Church have been sent to the homes of their posterity that the gospel might be taught to them and through their righteousness they might be privileged to have a descendant in the flesh do the work for them and their kindred dead.”  We need to be aware that those on the other side of the veil are thinking of us, they are praying for us and want to be linked together with us. We have a great responsibility on this side of the veil because the ordinances are temporal and only the living can do them. “  

This citation in concert with Luke 22:40—44 turned on a bright light bulb in my thought process. I thought, “Okay Deb, you accept and believe that the Angel who upheld Jesus was Michael, the Archangel, a.k.a. Adam, then he was/IS Christ’s brother! Family! Adam knew, associated, chose Jesus to carry out the Father’s Plan. He understood Jesus’ unique calling,s purpose, pre-mortal promises to us all and His future sufferings as well. Why wouldn’t he [Adam, the first mortal on earth, the one who walked, talked and was taught by God in the Garden of Eden etc.] be the one to come at this crucial moment for the entire family of man [Adam’s posterity] to strengthen the Lord Jesus?

   Jesus is our “Elder Brother” so why wouldn’t He come to safeguard us before we start becoming too weak in our journey? Why wouldn’t He come to our rescue, reminding us to Whom we belong to and the purpose of our life? After all, He gave his life for us voluntarily! I profoundly believe that He does come to us as an “angel” if you will, to succor us as He promised.  I testify again that our ancestors also rush to our sides in our afflictions and adversity to whisper comfort and wisdom when we need it most. Personally, I’ve had the privilege, honor, blessing and humbling experience of both angelic consolation, whispering and strengthening—more recently than ever before!

         Life was no bowl of cherries for Jesus and His Father understood quite profoundly what was awaiting His Son in that garden. He also knew what lied in the balance and wouldn’t allow all of Satan’s tactics and attacks succeed   And friends, so it is with us.  We are tied to Him. He is not a cosmic god that has kicked us out of our eternal home or has no clue to what has and is happening in our daily life. He is very involved! He even notices when a sparrow falls! He is cheering us on as are our family members waiting beyond the viel. 

   Put your spiritual hearing on and you won’t believe what you’ll hear!

                 HAPPY “FUTURE” RESURRECTION DAY!