Why Hast Thou Forsaken Me?

It is Finished by Liz Lemon-Swindle

We had another good lesson in our Sunday School Class this past week. We are discussing the differences between David and Saul. Our conversation kept bringing out comments that seemed to be off track but I enjoyed the comments anyway.

At one point someone asked a question about why God the father withdrew his presence from Christ while he was on the cross. Of course the Sunday School Answer informed us all that Christ was required to do this on his own. Another person stated that perhaps God the Father is no different than we are as mortal parents. If He remained, He would be inclined to interfere; or to rescue his Beloved from the distress. Ok.... 

In a conversation with Brian, I learned Christ volunteered to be the Savior. The need for a Savior was established by the fall of Adam and Eve. When they partook of the 'fruit' their bodies became susceptible to mortality. But they also were sent out of the garden--out from the presence of the Lord. While in the Garden, Adam and Eve were able to hear the Lord's voice and receive teaching directly from Him. But when they were sent into the barren wilderness, they no longer had His presence with them, and 'messengers' were used to give information to Adam. This is what Latter-day Saints call the 'Spiritual Death.'

Therefore, in order for Christ to not only pay the debt for the mortal death, he had to pay the debt for the spiritual death in order for us to be able to return to God's presence. By giving up the mortal body (Mortal Death) Christ paid for the physical death and therebye saved us from mortal death and introduces the resurrection. By willingly progressing through the withdrawal of the Father's presence (Spiritual Death) Christ paid for the spiritual death, knowing exactly what it was to be without His light and guidance. This brings about immortality and the ability to return to the presence of our Father in Heaven.  That made so much more sense to me than the normal Sunday School Answers!