I Know He Lives
As we are entering into this Easter season, I am finding myself continually looking back on the couple of years that I had the blessing of working as part of the Stage Crew for the Mesa Easter Pageant: Jesus The Christ. Those few years that I part of that amazing production, my testimony grew so strong.
Here is a short video (it's an old video so ignore the dates at the end) that shows what the pageant is all about.
Let me just add here that if you ever have the opportunity to be in Arizona around Easter time, please go out to the Mesa Temple and see the pageant.
I grew up in Arizona. While we did not go see the Easter Pageant every year, I had been several times before my family and I became part of the Stage Crew. I had always enjoyed it, but there is special atmosphere that is created when you are part of the pageant.
As part of the Stage Crew, you get to see a large majority of the scenes up close. You stand there in the wings, dressed in all black, and watch each scene. Then as the curtains close, or you attention is drawn to another part of the stage, you quickly rush to fulfill the task you are meant to do. Whether it is moving plants, handling out the lamps for the ten virgins, setting up the table for the Last Supper, or moving the crosses into place, you have to get it done quickly, quietly, and it has to be done right. It can be a little crazy sometimes, but it is a whole new experience. It is very different then when you are out in the audience. I personally have felt like I have made a personal connection with so many of the stories of Christ that I probably would not have made otherwise.
With the scene of Christ's birth, I would see the looks on all the actors faces as they come up to see the baby. (Just so you know, they have real babies that play the baby Jesus in the program) Hearing the songs, seeing the way everyone looks at that precious baby, it makes you think about what it would have been like if you had been there that night.
Being off on the side, you feel as if you are part of the scene, whether it is the Last Supper, or when all the children come to Christ, or during all the many miracle he performs. Whether it is the story of the ten virgins, the scene of the garden of Gethsemane, or when Christ was baptized, everything becomes so much more real. Even though you know it is not real, you feel like you were there. You see the emotion on every ones faces, you feel like the power behind the things that happen. All the stories that you've heard over and over, suddenly become a lot more important to you. No matter how many times you see those scenes, and trust me you see them a lot when you are part of the pageant, you feel that spirit, that connection, the sacredness that accompanies the life of Christ.
There a few things that are extremely precious to not only me, but a lot of the people who are part of the pageant. We all have our favorite scenes. And that is really what this post is about, my favorite scenes.
The first is the Crucifixion of Christ. During this scene, everything seems to go quiet. The emotion, the passion, the hurt, the forgiveness that is portrayed in this scene is so intense, so powerful, so beautiful. All you can do is stand there and watch. For this one scene, the whole world seems to stand still. You feel as if you were there. You here the pleading in the voice of Christ as He asks the Father to forgive them. You see how the guards choose to portray their character. Some of them stand so firm and determined. While others seem to be afraid, or maybe ashamed is a better word, as the Christ's body goes limp. The thunder starts rumbling and flashes of lightening shoot across the stage as the lights fade out. And for a moment, everything is so real. I used to stand there off to the side, and the breath would catch in my throat. The whole world was quiet and some nights it would hit me harder than others. There several nights were a few tears would start to roll down my cheeks, and there were other nights where I stood there motionless, almost frozen in my own body. But everyone took that scene differently. Most nights a few of the other actors would find there ways to the wings to watch this scene. There were some people who like me would have a few tears, but there would be a few that would break down completely. I can't blame them. Being there, seeing that, it really makes you think about your own relationship with Christ. It makes you think about what it would have been like not only to be there that day, but to live during the time Christ was alive.
The next is after Christ has been resurrected and He comes to see the apostles. Each one takes turns kneeling before and touching the nail prints in His hands. I love this part because each one of the men handles it differently. Some immediately coming rushing to Him and throw themselves at his feet. Some slowly fall down and gently touch His hands. Some seem to cling to His hands. There is yet again, so much emotion felt in this scene. There is so much hope, and love that can be felt in this scene. This scene is not very long at all, but it is so powerful!
The last of my favorite scenes is obviously the very end when Christ ascends into the air. There is so much going on. I would hold one of the side curtain backs as dozens of people would rush onto to the stage singing with all their might "I know He lives!" As the last person would slip through the curtains, I would walk to this one point where I could see the angles on the platform on top of the stage, and I could see as Christ was risen into the air. I would stand there every night, and I would look up to the sky, singing my heart out as I joined as a hidden voice. The entire song is basically just the same words over and over again. "I know He lives!" It is so powerful though. Hundreds of people singing their proclamation that they KNOW that HE LIVES!!
I got all of the pictures off of the Mesa Easter Pageant Facebook page and the video off of their YouTube page.
Here is a short video (it's an old video so ignore the dates at the end) that shows what the pageant is all about.
Let me just add here that if you ever have the opportunity to be in Arizona around Easter time, please go out to the Mesa Temple and see the pageant.
I grew up in Arizona. While we did not go see the Easter Pageant every year, I had been several times before my family and I became part of the Stage Crew. I had always enjoyed it, but there is special atmosphere that is created when you are part of the pageant.
As part of the Stage Crew, you get to see a large majority of the scenes up close. You stand there in the wings, dressed in all black, and watch each scene. Then as the curtains close, or you attention is drawn to another part of the stage, you quickly rush to fulfill the task you are meant to do. Whether it is moving plants, handling out the lamps for the ten virgins, setting up the table for the Last Supper, or moving the crosses into place, you have to get it done quickly, quietly, and it has to be done right. It can be a little crazy sometimes, but it is a whole new experience. It is very different then when you are out in the audience. I personally have felt like I have made a personal connection with so many of the stories of Christ that I probably would not have made otherwise.With the scene of Christ's birth, I would see the looks on all the actors faces as they come up to see the baby. (Just so you know, they have real babies that play the baby Jesus in the program) Hearing the songs, seeing the way everyone looks at that precious baby, it makes you think about what it would have been like if you had been there that night.
Being off on the side, you feel as if you are part of the scene, whether it is the Last Supper, or when all the children come to Christ, or during all the many miracle he performs. Whether it is the story of the ten virgins, the scene of the garden of Gethsemane, or when Christ was baptized, everything becomes so much more real. Even though you know it is not real, you feel like you were there. You see the emotion on every ones faces, you feel like the power behind the things that happen. All the stories that you've heard over and over, suddenly become a lot more important to you. No matter how many times you see those scenes, and trust me you see them a lot when you are part of the pageant, you feel that spirit, that connection, the sacredness that accompanies the life of Christ.There a few things that are extremely precious to not only me, but a lot of the people who are part of the pageant. We all have our favorite scenes. And that is really what this post is about, my favorite scenes.
The first is the Crucifixion of Christ. During this scene, everything seems to go quiet. The emotion, the passion, the hurt, the forgiveness that is portrayed in this scene is so intense, so powerful, so beautiful. All you can do is stand there and watch. For this one scene, the whole world seems to stand still. You feel as if you were there. You here the pleading in the voice of Christ as He asks the Father to forgive them. You see how the guards choose to portray their character. Some of them stand so firm and determined. While others seem to be afraid, or maybe ashamed is a better word, as the Christ's body goes limp. The thunder starts rumbling and flashes of lightening shoot across the stage as the lights fade out. And for a moment, everything is so real. I used to stand there off to the side, and the breath would catch in my throat. The whole world was quiet and some nights it would hit me harder than others. There several nights were a few tears would start to roll down my cheeks, and there were other nights where I stood there motionless, almost frozen in my own body. But everyone took that scene differently. Most nights a few of the other actors would find there ways to the wings to watch this scene. There were some people who like me would have a few tears, but there would be a few that would break down completely. I can't blame them. Being there, seeing that, it really makes you think about your own relationship with Christ. It makes you think about what it would have been like not only to be there that day, but to live during the time Christ was alive.
The next is after Christ has been resurrected and He comes to see the apostles. Each one takes turns kneeling before and touching the nail prints in His hands. I love this part because each one of the men handles it differently. Some immediately coming rushing to Him and throw themselves at his feet. Some slowly fall down and gently touch His hands. Some seem to cling to His hands. There is yet again, so much emotion felt in this scene. There is so much hope, and love that can be felt in this scene. This scene is not very long at all, but it is so powerful!The last of my favorite scenes is obviously the very end when Christ ascends into the air. There is so much going on. I would hold one of the side curtain backs as dozens of people would rush onto to the stage singing with all their might "I know He lives!" As the last person would slip through the curtains, I would walk to this one point where I could see the angles on the platform on top of the stage, and I could see as Christ was risen into the air. I would stand there every night, and I would look up to the sky, singing my heart out as I joined as a hidden voice. The entire song is basically just the same words over and over again. "I know He lives!" It is so powerful though. Hundreds of people singing their proclamation that they KNOW that HE LIVES!!
Standing there each night, dressed all in black, an unseen part of the pageant, my testimony of Christ grew so much. I felt like I had strengthened my personal relationship with Him! I will forever be grateful for those few years that I had the opportunity to be part of this amazing pageant. I learned so much not only about Christ, but also about myself. I can proudly and unashamedly say that I know that He lives!!!
I got all of the pictures off of the Mesa Easter Pageant Facebook page and the video off of their YouTube page.
Comments
Post a Comment