Good Friday 2012

"And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 'Eloi, eloi, lama sabachthani?' which means, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?' When some of those who stood by heard this, they said, 'Listen, he is calling on Elijah.' Someone ran and soaked a sponge in vinegar and, putting it on a reed, gave it to him to drink saying, 'Wait! And see if Elijah will come to take him down.' But Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. And the veil of the Sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. The centurion, who was standing in front of him, had seen how he had died, and he said, 'In truth this man was Son of God.' "

Why is it that the Son of God would give such a cry of despair--"My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" 

Dontcha think that perhaps if He had been calling Elijah, he might've addressed him by name? Unless "My God" is some weird nickname for Elijah.....

..no, I think not. Nor is He blaming God. Nor is He giving up. 

If He had given up, he would have only had to said the word, and all this pain and suffering could have ceased. But it wasn't the nails that held Him up on that cross: It was love.

And if this sacrifice was one of complete love, why would he be blaming the Father?

Two thousand years ago, when the scriptures were taught and passed down orally, the psalms weren't numbered. They wouldn't say "Psalm 22"; they would use the first lines to refer to the whole psalm. 

And so, when Christ was up on that cross with His arms outstretched over the whole world, when He cried out "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?", it wasn't a cry of despair he uttered, but one of hope.

With these few words, He not only spoke of His complete and utter forsakenness, but also called each of us to praise God.

"My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?

You are far from my plea and the cry of my distress.

O my God, I call by day and you give no reply;

I call by night and I find no peace. [...]

All who see my deride me. 

They curl their lips, they toss their heads.

'He trusted in the Lord, let him save him;

let him release him if this is his friend.' [...]

O Lord, do not leave me alone,

my strength, make haste to help me! [...]

I will tell of your name to my brethren

and praise you where they are assembled.

You who fear the Lord, give Him praise! All sons of Jacob, give Him glory. Revere him, Israel's sons!" - Psalm 22