Savannah Guthrie Questions Jesus’ Suffering In Easter Message

Savannah Guthrie admitted she has struggled with faith in the aftermath of her mother, Nancy Guthrie’s, disappearance.

The “Today” co-anchor recorded a video message for Good Shepherd New York, a Manhattan church, which uploaded an Easter livestream on Easter Sunday. She began by wishing viewers a “Happy Easter,” then dove into an emotional message questioning whether Jesus experienced the suffering she had. Guthrie’s mother was reported missing from her Arizona home on Feb. 1.

“We celebrate today the promise of a new life that never ends in death. But, standing here today, I have to tell you, there are moments in which that promise seems irretrievably far away. When life itself seems far harder than death,” Guthrie said.

“These moments of deep disappointment with God, the feeling of utter abandonment.”

“For most of us, there will come a time in our life when these feelings hold sway.”

She went on to explain that her recent trials have led her to question the degree of Jesus’ suffering.

“In our tradition, we are taught to take comfort in the fact that our friend, Jesus, in his short life, experienced every single emotion that we humans can feel,” Guthrie said.

“That his taking on the form of humanity made him not a distant observer to our pain, but a hands-on experiencer of it.”

TUCSON, ARIZONA – MARCH 02: A makeshift memorial adorns the front of the home of Nancy Guthrie on March 02, 2026 in Tucson, Arizona. Law enforcement officials continue to search for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of U.S. journalist and television host Savannah Guthrie, after she went missing from her home one month ago on the morning of February 1st. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

“Recently, though, in my own season of trial, I have wondered, I have questioned, whether Jesus really ever experienced this particular wound that I feel, this grievous and uniquely cruel injury of not knowing, of uncertainty and confusion and answers withheld.”

She admitted, “In those darkest moments, I have thought bitterly and perhaps irreverently that I have stumbled upon a feeling that Jesus did not know.”

She spoke of Jesus’ biblical experience, then said, “He at least knew his fate.”

Guthrie said his disciples grieved him. “But still, he knew the ending, He knew the plan, there would be suffering, but then — resurrection,” she said.

Guthrie continued, “And so I thought, he never suffered this excruciating, not knowing.”

TUCSON, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 26: A photograph of Nancy Guthrie is seen on a sign that people can leave messages on February 26, 2026, in Tucson, Arizona. Law enforcement officials continue to search for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of U.S. journalist and television host Savannah Guthrie, after she went missing from her home on the morning of February 1st. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Defending her position, she noted, “It isn’t wrong to think such thoughts, to challenge our God with questions … Our questions to God, our wrestling with God, this is his opportunity. For through our authenticity and vulnerability comes a portal of revelation, the imparting of truth and wisdom. And so it went for me.”

“Perhaps this is too dark a message to share on Easter morning, but I have long believed that we miss out on fully celebrating resurrection if we do not acknowledge the feelings of loss, pain and yes, death,” Guthrie said.

“It is the darkness that makes this morning’s light so magnificent, so blindingly beautiful. It is all the brighter because it is so desperately needed.” (RELATED: Savannah Guthrie’s Gut-Wrenching Interview Reveals New Details Of Nancy Guthrie’s Disappearance)

TUCSON, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 10: In this photo illustration, Nancy Guthrie’s alleged kidnapper is seen on FBI Director Kash Patel’s X account on a cellular phone February 10, 2026 in Tucson, Arizona. Searches continues for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of U.S. journalist and television host Savannah Guthrie, after she went missing from her home on the morning of February 1st. Guthrie’s possible abductors had set a deadline of 5pm on February 9 for a $6 million payment. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

Guthrie’s 84-year-old mother was last seen entering the garage of her home on the night of Jan. 31. Surveillance footage later retrieved from her front door camera appeared to show a masked, armed man. Blood droplets at the front door were confirmed to belong to Nancy. She has not been seen or heard from since her disappearance. The Guthrie family offered a $1 million reward for her safe return.