Easter: A Season for Gratitude

Jesus, Savior, Friend

by Arielle Myers (January 22, 2012)

A humble plea, a bitter cup

Unspeakable agony;

Great drops of blood shed for the world

In the garden Gethsemane.

A crown of thorns, a purple robe,

A cross upon a tree;

Nails pierced His hands, a spear pierced His side

On a hill called Calvary.

He suffered all our sins and pains

And fell on bended knee.

He was the only one who could—

This man from Galilee

He died upon the cross because

He, only, had the key

To break the bands of death and hell

And thereby make us free.

I didn’t meet Christ on this earth;

The cross I did not see.

And yet I know that what He did

Was done for you and me.

And though I don’t deserve this gift,

I’m trying prayerfully

To be the worthy servant that

I know I ought to be.

Oh Jesus Christ, my Lord, my God,

I’m grateful unto Thee

For all that Thou has done for us,

For what You’ve done for me.

Please help me do all that I can

To serve Thee faithfully.

Thou art my best and truest Friend;

I’m coming unto Thee.

I wrote that poem two years ago during the passing of the sacrament in an average Sacrament Meeting in the ward I was in at the time.  These words and this message have been on my mind a lot over the past few days as I've been thinking about the approach of one of my favorite holidays: Easter.  On this beautiful spring morning, my thoughts have turned to the Savior and the incredible sacrifice He made for each of us.  How grateful I am that He suffered for our sins and pains, died on the cross, and rose again so that we all have the chance to return and live with our Heavenly Father again.  His love for us is beyond my comprehension, but I know that it is real and available to all of us.  His Atonement is what makes it possible for us to become like Him.  I know that He loves us all and is there for each and every one of us.  I love Him with all of my heart!

None Were With Him - Elder Holland