“from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’”-Matthew 27:45-36
While studying for today’s morning sermon, I kept running across this famous quote from Jesus on the cross. I chose not to use it in the sermon because it would distract me from the points I want to make. But the emotional impact of our Lord’s words would not let me pass by without a few words in print.
How many times has our heart felt what Christ’s words speak?!?! It is always amazing to me how quickly down times can chase good times from our mind. Sometimes a series of small things can beat us down in ways bigger problems do not. When we get on the struggle-bus, we completely forget how good things were weeks, days, or even hours before. Praise God, for a merciful and faithful high priest who suffered when he was tempted as we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 2:17-28; 4:15)! Jesus is able to help those who are being tempted or those who feel down, forgotten, and incapable of breaking the funk.
Jesus’ words are a quote from Psalm 22. Bible students have opinions that differ on exactly what Christ’s words mean. Was Jesus really separated from God? Did he just feel forsaken? Maybe he knew, in his mind, God was there, but his anguish made him emotional to the point of saying something he felt more than meant? This doesn’t take into account the theories surrounding Jesus, “taking the sin of mankind” on his shoulders (Isaiah 53:6; II Corinthians 5:21). We aren’t going to end those discussions today.
Part of the theory I understand best is: Intellectually Jesus knew the Father was there, but the pain and suffering was so great, his heart took control of his speech and out came those prophetic words. I can relate to that. Have you ever experienced your mouth taking control over your other faculties? If not, I have a hammer, some nails, and a 75-year-old poplar 4×4. I get the feeling you’ll understand in short order!
So what is the point? First of all, there is no sin in having an emotionally down moment! Jesus did not sin and neither did David when they cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” It is okay to cry out in distress to your Father in heaven. Nothing will make your prayer life better than reading the Psalms. It may shock you how the psalmist speaks to God. But the Lord knows our every weakness and wants us to seek and find him (Acts 17:27).
Secondly, remember hard times don’t last. Three days after this humiliating, curse of a day; Jesus rose from the grave and proclaimed his victory over death for himself and all who call on his name! It is helpful to remember good and bad times from our past. It will remind us, we did survive when we despaired even of life. And our rosy memories help us to reflect on the rainbows in our lives only come after storms.
So, how do we get through the forsaken times? The same way Jesus did, “Have faith!” Consider these two passages describing how Jesus found the strength to endure the shame of the cross: “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!”-Luke 23:46, and, “(Jesus) continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.”-I Peter 2:23. What does it mean that Jesus committed his spirit to the Father? The word faith is not in either passage, but trust is. That is the substance of true Christian faith. Do you trust God enough to give him your life, your decisions, even your own spirit? He is faithful to forgive, strengthen, and glorify. He is worthy of our trust even when we feel forsaken, Praise God he is with us!
“’I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?’”-Hebrews 13:5-6
That kind of faith climbs the cross and rises from the grave!
Leave a Reply