Fear

Clara was looking at a picture of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ during sacrament meeting on Sunday.  She turned to me and asked "Mom, do you thing Jesus was scared?".  This really caught me by surprise because in all my years I have never thought of Jesus as being afraid.  I know that he suffered not only for our sins but for our pains and sufferings but fear is a word I have never thought of when I think of our Savior.  In the Book of Mormon in Alma chapter 7 we read

"11 And he shall  go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

 12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities."  

I have always known that He suffered for my sins, pain and sadness but I always imagined my Savior being fearless. I never thought that he might have felt fear. As I thought of this Scripture I realized that of course he felt fear. I would imagine that while He was on the cross was not the first time He felt fear. In order for Him to "know according to the flesh how to succor His people" He had to feel fear.


I am grateful for the knowledge that I have of a Savior who loves me and was willing to experience unimaginable pain and suffering so that he could truly understand me. I am so grateful that I could tell Clara that yes he felt fear and that she could find comfort in knowing that no matter what she was feeling He could understand and give her strength if she will always turn to Him.


I am grateful for a little girl who often surprises me with little questions that cause me to think about bigger things. I am so grateful for scriptures that answer so many questions and bring peace to me everyday as I try to guide my little bits (that is for my Mom) on this path back to their Heavenly Father.