June 19 - 25 | Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; John 19 | “It Is Finished” - Episode 26

Episode 26

June 19 - 25 | Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; John 19 | “It Is Finished”

The Cross

Thorns and nails

Snake on a stick

#NewTestament #ComeFollowMe #ComeFollowMe2023 #TalkofHim #FindHim

Join hosts Ganel-Lyn Condie and John Fossum on this New Testament episode of Talk of Him as we explore these important themes, topics, and questions from Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; and John 19:

Symbols of Christianity and the deeper meanings they have

Being alone

Turning to the Savior in our loneliness and trauma

Forgiving the failures of others

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Invitation:

As you go throughout your week, pay attention to how many times you encounter the symbol of the cross. Each time you do, think about what Jesus suffered so that you can learn from your sins without being condemned by them.

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Quotes & Links:

Link to FIND HIM New Testament Study Guide:

https://www.seagullbook.com/find-him-new-testament-come-follow-me-guidebook.html 

“We generally do not use the iconography of the cross, I wish to make abundantly clear our deep respect and profound admiration for the faith-filled motives and devoted lives of those who do. … (fn, When Paul speaks of the cross, he is using doctrinal shorthand to speak of the majesty of the Atonement, an arena where Latter-day Saints readily join him and quote him.) …The crosses we bear rather than the ones we wear … [are] solemn reminders that there is a cost to discipleship. … It is one of the most powerful paradoxes of the Crucifixion that the arms of the Savior were stretched wide open and then nailed there, unwittingly but accurately portraying that every man, woman, and child in the entire human family is not only welcome but invited into His redeeming, exalting embrace.” (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, “Lifted Up Upon the Cross,” Gen Conf, Oct. 2022)

“We are pleased to introduce a symbol that will signify the central place of Jesus Christ in His Church. … At the center of the symbol is a representation of [the] … resurrected, living Lord reaching out to embrace all who will come unto Him. Symbolically, Jesus Christ is standing under an arch. The arch reminds us of the resurrected Savior emerging from the tomb on the third day following His Crucifixion.” (President Russell M. Nelson, Gen Conf Apr 2020)

“Because he must ultimately tread this winepress of redemption unaided, can he endure the darkest moment of them all, the shock of the greatest pain? This comes not with thorns and with nails, but with the terror of feeling utterly alone: … Can he bear all of our sins and our fear and loneliness too? He did and he does and he will. We do not know how such great sorrow can be borne, but it is no wonder the sun hid its face in shame. No wonder the veil of the temple was rent. No wonder the very earth convulsed at the plight of this perfect child. And at least one Roman centurion who saw all of this sensed something of what it had meant. In awe, he uttered the declaration for all eternity, “Truly this was the Son of God.”  Matt. 27:54” (1989–O:25, Jeffrey R. Holland, “He Loved Them unto the End”)

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Talk of Him is presented by Seagull Book and hosted by Ganel-Lyn Condie and John Fossum.