Episode 26

EPISODE 26 WAS EDITED FOR CONTENT.  THIS IS THE REVISED PODCAST

June 24–30

Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20-21

He is Risen

This episode is about the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  This episode closely mirrors Episode 16 so for more information about these events you can re-listen to 16.

The best thing about this episode is that I have a guest star named Shelby Price Stroud and a cameo by her daughter Preslie.  I will say it’s pretty silly so if it’s your first episode, don’t let it be your first episode.  Go back a few. Get used to me. Then proceed.  (Ha Ha)

We start out talking about some of the feelings of the witnesses to this event.  We mainly talk about the women and how they weren’t believed.

Next, we talked about how to more fully invite the Savior to abide with us in our daily lives.  We spoke of the disciples on the road to Emmaus and how the Savior used the scriptures to help them understand what was happening.  We thought it was very interesting that the disciples didn’t understand it was the Savior who was with them until he broke bread with them.  The sacrament can help us remember the Savior every week!

We then talk about Thomas and how when he finally did see the resurrected Savior the Savior addressed Thomas’ desire very specifically. My niece shared an experience she had at camp and I shared an experience with a recent blessing I received.

Lastly, I shared part of Jeffrey R. Holland’s talk, “The First Great Commandment.” Here’s the quote I shared.

“After a joyful reunion with the resurrected Jesus, Peter had an exchange with the Savior that I consider the crucial turning point of the apostolic ministry generally and certainly for Peter personally, moving this great rock of a man to a majestic life of devoted service and leadership. Looking at their battered little boats, their frayed nets, and a stunning pile of 153 fish, Jesus said to His senior Apostle, “Peter, do you love me more than you love all this?” Peter said, “Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.”10

The Savior responds to that reply but continues to look into the eyes of His disciple and says again, “Peter, do you love me?” Undoubtedly confused a bit by the repetition of the question, the great fisherman answers a second time, “Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.”11

The Savior again gives a brief response, but with relentless scrutiny He asks for the third time, “Peter, do you love me?” By now surely Peter is feeling truly uncomfortable. Perhaps there is in his heart the memory of only a few days earlier when he had been asked another question three times and he had answered equally emphatically—but in the negative. Or perhaps he began to wonder if he misunderstood the Master Teacher’s question. Or perhaps he was searching his heart, seeking honest confirmation of the answer he had given so readily, almost automatically. Whatever his feelings, Peter said for the third time, “Lord, … thou knowest that I love thee.”12

To which Jesus responded (and here again I acknowledge my nonscriptural elaboration), perhaps saying something like: “Then Peter, why are you here? Why are we back on this same shore, by these same nets, having this same conversation? Wasn’t it obvious then and isn’t it obvious now that if I want fish, I can get fish? What I need, Peter, are disciples—and I need them forever. I need someone to feed my sheep and save my lambs. I need someone to preach my gospel and defend my faith. I need someone who loves me, truly, truly loves me, and loves what our Father in Heaven has commissioned me to do. Ours is not a feeble message. It is not a fleeting task. It is not hapless; it is not hopeless; it is not to be consigned to the ash heap of history. It is the work of Almighty God, and it is to change the world. So, Peter, for the second and presumably the last time, I am asking you to leave all this and to go teach and testify, labor and serve loyally until the day in which they will do to you exactly what they did to me.”