The Cry of Forsakenness
Scripture Reading — Matthew 27:45-46
Jesus cried out in a loud voice … “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Matthew 27:46
Jesus’ words from the cross at “about three in the afternoon” were a cry of utter anguish and desolation.
For three years he had taught others to trust God. Again and again, he had encouraged crowds to place their faith in the loving Father.
But now here he was, suffering a horrible death. As he cried out this most awful of cries, it may have seemed he couldn’t practice what he had preached.
Were his faith and trust in his Father broken?
These words of agony were spoken just after three hours of darkness had passed. This was not the darkness of a passing storm, or even an eclipse. It was the darkness brought on by human sin, the darkness of the torment of hell. The Father’s abhorrence of all things evil was revealed to Jesus in those three hours.
And as the land lay in darkness, Christ felt the full weight of humanity’s sin upon his shoulders. His hands and feet were pierced, but they were pierced for our transgressions and wrongdoings. His body was crushed, and that was because of our iniquities and offenses. (See Isaiah 53:5.)
No wonder Christ felt so utterly deserted and abandoned by his Father. The sin of the world was upon him.
Father, we can’t understand the depth of anguish Christ experienced for us as he hung on the cross. Thank you that, because of him, we never have to face that suffering. Amen.
About the author — Shawn Brix
Rev. Shawn Brix has served as pastor in several Ontario churches. He and his wife, Jenny, have three children.
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