Challenges are part of our humanity. To stand firm and cope with life’s challenges, we can trust Christ’s arms extended to us in love, mercy, and support.
Love Reaching Out
I love the statue Christus by Bertel Thorvaldsen for what it teaches me, how it confirms the feelings and testimony most important to me, and how it represents the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Visual arts analysts discuss how different Christus is from other early-19th-century portrayals of Christ. Others represented Christ in action. Thorvaldsen’s vision portrayed who Christ is, not something He did. His arms are outstretched in a gesture of welcome,”drawing us into the engraved scripture: ‘Come to me all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest'” (Matthew (11:28). His eyes focus slightly downwards; His lips are barely parted.
This is the resurrected Christ, but only small nail prints and slight evidence of a side wound are portrayed. Contemporaries emphasized crucifixion agony; Thorvaldsen found love and welcome in the resurrection. The focus is on Christ’s presence, on his arms extended and his face toward us.
Christ’s Atonement extends to all, but is, as explained by Gérald Caussé, “a remarkably personal and intimate gift, suited to each of us individually . . . a personal invitation to come unto Him.”
Those in or not in the Church recognize the precious meaning of Christus to us. Replicas are included with temples and other Church sites throughout the world, including the 11-foot model at Temple Square. More personal size models are in homes worldwide. Christus is now part of the official Church symbol; I smile when I see those arms extended on something I’m confident Christ approves.
I love a comment by S. Mark Palmer: “[I] look forward to the day when He will put His arms around each of us, beholding us and encircling us with His perfect love.“
Arms Offering Mercy
Growing up on the east coast US, without the Gospel, I didn’t know about Christ’s love and mercy for us. I know now, and I’m eternally grateful. I was making a lot of mistakes then, and the more complex life has become, the more mistakes I’ve made. I’ve survived on scriptures like these, recommended by Jeffrey R. Holland.
“For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.” (Isaiah 9:21).
“I will be merciful unto them, saith the Lord God, if they will repent and come unto me; for mine arm is lengthened out all the day long.” (2Nephi 28:32)
Alma recorded a loving entreaty: The Lord “sendeth an invitation unto all men, for the arms of mercy are extended towards them . . . Repent, and I will receive you.” After quoting this scripture, David A. Bednar added, “He yearns to bless with His grace and mercy every single person who now lives, who has ever lived, and who will yet live upon the earth.”
Christ extends mercy differently, as we human beings are so different. In Alma’s account, the scheming lawyer turned terrified believer Zeezrom was deathly ill with a burning fever. Alma healed him instantly; Zeezrom actually jumped up on his feet and was off to preach.
Many years ago a priesthood brother read the account of Zeezrom before giving me a blessing, warning me that this rarely happens. My problem was neither burning nor feverish, and I still cope with it. The mercy was learning creative coping, and I’m grateful for it.
Some healings, instructions, warnings, insights etc. come or at least begin quickly. Some do not. This is not variation in God’s mercy; it is variation in what He knows and understands about us, realizing what we need when, including what is ahead for us.
God often extends mercy through others. Medication and therapy have been inadequate for serious clinical depression in my daughter-in-law’s family. She and my son have taken a service missionary and his 11-year-old sister into their home to give them merciful love, care, and life.
Arms Extended to Lift
When [Peter] saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
Quoting this scripture, Vern P. Stanfill added his own ending:
I believe that as Peter and the Savior walked back to the ship arm in arm, Peter . . . perhaps feeling very foolish, the Savior may have said something like this: “Even though you faltered, I will always be there to lift you from the depths, and your offering will be made perfect.”
James (4:10) taught, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”
“Who possesses the patience, the encompassing love, and the omnipotent hand to uplift and sustain us?” José Alonzo asked the question in present tense. And he answered it in future tense: “Whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day.”
The Savior’s lifting love is eternal.
Peter made a good start, and Christ raised him and helped him the rest of the way. He did have to leave the boat first. The scriptures tell of other starters:
- Correct what you can. Peter denied Christ three times. Christ asked him three times to express his love—which he did, and continued lifelong.
- Fast and pray. When the sons of Mosiah needed lifting and sustaining for their Lamanite mission, they fasted and prayed. Their final meeting before separating to different directions was a final fast and prayer together.
- Forgive and reconcile with those you may have wronged. Due to misunderstanding, Captain Moroni wrote an angry letter to Pahoran, the Nephite Chief Judge. Pahoran forgave him, and together they were lifted up and blessed by the Lord.
- Be willing to change. Wicked King Noah refused to change. He was not lifted up from his depravity and was burned to death by his followers.
Life can be unpredictable and surprising. Christ knew what and who He was making the greatest of all sacrifices to save. He has blessed us with a lasting image of Himself, Christus, showing His arms extended to us and His face drawing us in.
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