His Sacrifice

We are right in the middle of Lent! Looking back and reviewing all Christ did when He died on the cross redeeming us from sin. Of course, we will soon celebrate Easter Sunday and rejoice in the fact that Christ verified, validated, and vindicated all the work of his sufferings on the cross.

This week we are dealing with perhaps the height of His pain and anguish. These words he cried out are haunting words, to say the least, and certainly gives to us a vivid picture of the price Jesus paid. “And about the ninth hour, Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? That is to say, My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me? -Mt. 27:46

These words cripple my thinking and leave me in a gaze of wonder. They are certainly words of startling import!! The crucifixion stands at the center of all the ages as the most extraordinary event that has ever taken place on this celestial globe. And certainly, of this august happening, these words are the most startling utterance of this appalling scene.

Listen to the saying of Christ..... ”My God, My God, why have you forsaken me”. This word is the darkest and loneliest word spoken and experienced “Forsaken!” Has to be the most tragic word in all of the English language. Think of an old deserted town or house and how hollow it looks. The feeling of a friend forsaking you. A husband walking out or a child forsaking mom and dad but none of these compare to the anguish Christ went through when the Father turned his back and darkness fell on the face of the earth.

What do we see clearer than a fall night with glittering heavens? What do we hear with a piercing tone that exceeds the morning song of a bird? We see, hear, and sense with undeniable strength the awfulness of our sin and the earnings of its wages. The depravity of man is so gruesome that when Christ died God could not continue in unity with His Son. “The wages of sin is death” not only physical but spiritual death.

Because of this, the holiness of God could not allow relationships to be with us. Because of this, the justice of God must be met. The word forsaken!! The act of forsaken! This that Christ went through allowed for sinful man to be restored to the Father and for the justice of God to be satisfied. Now we can praise Him for we are in right relationship and will never have to feel the pain of separation from the Father.

“My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” Simply put so that we could be accepted!!!