My God, My God, Why Hast Thou Forsaken Me?

“With sorrow unspeakable those who loved Him placed His wounded, lifeless body in the new tomb of Joseph of Arimathea. Gone was hope from the lives of His Apostles, whom He had loved and taught. He to whom they had looked as Lord and Master had been crucified and His body laid in a sealed tomb. He had taught them of His eventual death and Resurrection, but they had not understood. Now they were forlorn and dejected. They must have wept and wondered as the great stone was rolled to seal the burial place.” -This Glorious Easter Morn, By Gordon B. Hinckley, April 1996

Just as the Apostles lost hope because their Master was gone, I think we too have lost hope. It is my belief that as Jesus and God explained to us our journey here on earth; the trials, the afflictions, the distance, and the hardships. I think that we too “had not understood” how hard it would be down here on earth. I think they we too have “wept and wondered” where our great Master is.

We have cried as Jesus cried asking...My God, my God, why hast thou Forsaken me?- Matthew 27:46

Elder Holland stated,“Our Father...did not forsake His Son in that hour. Indeed, it is my personal belief that in all of Christ’s mortal ministry the Father may never have been closer to His Son than in these agonizing final moments of suffering.” - None Were With Him,April 2009 conf.

I truly believe in moments where we feel completely lost and hopeless that God is closer than He has ever been. That His love for us, as well as His son's love is perfect and always available  for us. No matter what we have done. 

Elder Wilford W. Andersen said, “Hope comes from faith in Jesus Christ. He has already overcome the world and has promised us that He will wipe away our tears if we would only turn to Him and believe and follow”.

May we remember “One of the great consolations of this Easter season is that because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so”. 

-None Were With Him, by Elder Holland, April 2009 conf.

Easter season is a message of Hope. Hope that God is close. Always so close. May we ever be thankful that He sent His son to die for us. May we cling to Him to remember why we came here, and that we too can fulfill our purpose here on earth. 

Let us remember that Jesus's Death was not the end of Him. He surely does live. “He is not here: for He is risen." (Matt 28:6)

Much Love & Hope

Rachel M.