Friday, June 12, 2020

Brigham Young's Affirmation of the Father Abandoning the Son on the Cross (the "traditional" interpretation of Matthew 27:46/Mark 15:34)

In a sermon dated 17 February 1856, Brigham Young affirmed the traditional interpretation of Matt 27:46/Mark 15:34 (i.e., that the Father did withdraw his spirit from the Son on the cross):

 

God never bestows upon His people, or upon an individual, superior blessings without a severe trial to prove them, to prove that individual, or that people, to see whether they will keep their covenants with Him, and keep in remembrance what He has shown them. Then the greater the vision, the greater the display of the power of the enemy. And when such individuals are off their guard they are left to themselves, as Jesus was. For this express purpose the Father withdrew His spirit from His Son, at the time he was to be crucified. Jesus had been with his Father, talked with Him, dwelt in His bosom, and knew all about heaven, about making the earth, about the transgression of man, and what would redeem the people, and that he was the character who was to redeem the sons of earth, and the earth itself from all sin that had come upon it. The light, knowledge, power, and glory with which he was clothed were far above, or exceeded that of all others who had been upon the earth after the fall, consequently at the very moment, at the hour when the crisis came for him to offer up his life, the Father withdrew Himself, withdrew His Spirit, and cast a vail over him. That is what made him sweat blood. If he had had the power of God upon him, he would not have sweat blood; but all was withdrawn from him, and a veil was cast over him, and he then plead with the Father not to forsake him." No," says the Father, "you must have your trials, as well as others." (JOD 3:205-6)

 

What is also interesting is that Brigham locates Jesus' sweating of blood, not in Gethsemane in the above, but on the cross.

 

For more on the Father abandoning Jesus on the cross, see:

 

Was Jesus Abandoned by God on the Cross?

 

Andrew Skinner on the Father's Withdrawal from the Son (Matthew 27:46)