I tend to doubt that the ability to see the future was part of our abilities when we lived with God before. Faith and doubt were obviously part of our early existence as many did not have the faith to come to earth. Some still doubted the outcome, or maybe their personal outcome and, still unfathomably to me, chose to follow another. But not knowing the end from the beginning, not having seen it, still having to fight the doubts and believe in the ultimate triumph is what brings that feeling of elation when we finally witness the triumph.

As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, I love movies. I’ve seen the movie Miracle several times, and I still get excited every time I watch the clock run out on the Russian national hockey team and hear the horn sound signaling the U.S. victory in the 1980 Winter Olympics. As you may recall, at that time in history Russia ruled the ice, and had won five of the previous six Winter Olympic gold medals. The Russian teams were stacked with veteran professional hockey players, while the U.S. team in 1980 was the youngest our nation had ever put together, and none of them had major-league experience.  Even though I knew the outcome of the game before the movie came out, and even though I know the outcome of the game every time I watch it, I still pump my fists in the air feeling triumphant to see the U.S.A. overcome hardship, beat the odds, and ultimately claim victory.

In heaven we were taught the plan of salvation. We were told what Christ would have to do. What he would have to suffer. I’m sure we knew that Jesus was being asked to endure more than any other being had endured, and more than any other being would ever endure. As we watched the history of the world unfold, we saw the fallibility of our ancestors; the rise and fall of good men and women. Even though we had faith enough to stay on the Lord’s side, I imagine we still felt some trepidation about this daunting task our Savior was about to undertake and the eternal stakes involved. There was no way for us to help, all we could do was watch as our elder brother took his first steps to becoming the Messiah. We rejoiced at his birth, watched in wonder as he grew in wisdom and stature, cheered when he overcame temptation, and were amazed by His faith that wrought miracles. Then the bitter cup was passed to Jesus lips. Certainly anguish and guilt came to our own hearts as we watched Him suffer for our sins; anger as he was taken, abused, beaten and finally nailed to a cross. But even after all that, would he do it? Would he do as he as he said he would? Would he truly rise from the dead and fulfill all that was required of Him? Imagine the greatest victory of all time. The overcoming of the greatest obstacles and challenges ever to come to man. That victory occurred on Easter morn in Jerusalem over 2000 years ago.

“And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” Matt. 28:5-6

He did it! He really did it!!!