Scripture(s): Mark 15:34 And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”)
Psalm 22:1-2 “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me,
so far from my cries of anguish?
My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer,
by night, but I find no rest.”
Devotional: In the most excruciating pain-filled moments of Jesus’ crucifixion, He cried out to God, repeating the words of prophecy found in Psalm 22. In those horrific moments, as evil men were allowed to do whatever they wanted to Jesus, He expressed His feelings of abandonment. Having the sins of the world placed on Him, Jesus, for a time, felt the desolation of being unconscious of His Father’s presence.
Let that sink in.
Jesus, in His humanity, experienced feelings of estrangement from God. How can that be? It is a great mystery. But ultimately, as He surrendered to the Father’s will, God’s great purpose for mankind would be carried out and Jesus would be restored.
What a great reminder for you and me when we are at our lowest and God seems so very far away. He is near. He is in control. He is purposeful.
Reflect:
- When have you most felt forsaken by God?