About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”) Matthew 27:46
Good Friday. A time to remember and reflect on our Redeemer. An opportunity to quiet our hearts and give Jesus our attention. Why? To try with our finite minds to grasp the infinite depth of love poured out for us, when Jesus Christ was crucified.
When He was forsaken.
By His Father. By God.
“How deep the Father’s love for us”
To be forsaken is to be abandoned, turned away from entirely, and deserted. When Jesus became sin for us in taking our punishment, God had to forsake Him in his hour of greatest need, for God is holy and perfect and just. He couldn’t even look upon His Son, marred with our trangressions.
“How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away”
In this life, we will never comprehend the enormity of that sacrifice, the cost of such an act to both Father and Son. Jesus was willing to bear the horror of utter Godlessness to make a way for mankind to be redeemed.
“It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished”
It was the only way for us, and God’s love compelled Him to go ahead and sever the precious bond with His Son on that day, so that OUR bond with Him might be renewed. That we might accept the fact that we are loved, are worthy, are adored. Not because of anything we have done, but because HE IS LOVE. How deep the Father’s love for us.
“But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom”
He was forsaken, so that we will NEVER be.
Embrace the wonder of the cross this Easter, and know you are loved deeply…
