7 Statements From the Cross - Statement 4

"My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" (see Matthew 27:45-50)

I’ve heard many people say that Jesus was praying to God when He says these words.  Then this is certainly a true statement if you take the stance that speaking to God is prayer.  Conversely, you’re equally correct if you take the stance that yelling out to God is simply communicating to Him.  I’m not certain which way Jesus was talking to God.  What I do know is this, at a time when He was hurting...He reached out to our Father.  This is an object lesson to us all.  It shows us that no matter where we are, God is there with us.  It is true that God was silent.  It is also true, this was one of the most pivotal moments in the annals of time.  For this study, our focus is on knowing Jesus took on our sins despite not being guilty of anything.  

God said that He was “well pleased” (depending on your bible version) with Jesus at least two times in the New Testament.  At this moment, God and Jesus were separated.  Let’s recap Jesus’ past few hours.  He was arrested in Gethsemane, His followers abandoned Him, He was falsely accused, He was beaten and humiliated,  He had to carry a cross (a symbol of death), then He was crucified on that cross, one of the fellow prisoner is mocking Him while on the cross and people were also mocking Him.  Now, after all of that...for the first time, Jesus is all alone.  Remember He prayed so hard in Gethsemane that His sweat was “like drops of blood.”  Despite all of those hardships, He took all the sin onto Himself for you and I.  Jesus carried away our sins on that rugged cross on Calvary.  

This week, try to remember His sacrifice.  Think about the things Jesus gave up to be here on earth with us.  Think about the pain He endured.  Ask God what do you need to forgive and forget this week.  Jesus dealt with all those issues for us without “a mumbling word.”  Many of us are ready to “lose our religion” if someone looks at us wrong or cuts in front of us in the grocery store line.  Lets be like Jesus.  Lets remember God has not forsaken us.  Lets remember Jesus knew His destiny and those things had to take place and He went through it for us.  Whatever God has set before you, go forward in the peace and understanding God has set it up for your good and His glory.

We should be thankful we have such a loving Lord God and Savior.

Blessings