Not Forsaken
In my Heartlight.org article this week, I continue a look at the 7 sayings of Jesus. This week, we focus on Jesus anguished cry, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Jesus clearly felt he was abandoned by everyone, including God. But a closer look suggests something a bit different. Here are a couple of questions that go with this article. I’d love to get your response!
We often hear that God turned his back on his Son because Jesus was carrying the guilt of our sin. How do you reconcile that withJohn 16:32? Where do you find a Scripture supporting this concept?
How is it a blessing to us to know that Jesus felt abandoned, but in faith, trusted that God would not abandon him and would be faithful to his promises?
While Jesus was the living flesh of God or God incarnate, he still had to contend with the emotions that we contend with. soembody once told me that Jesus never felt any pain while he was being crucified. I responsed with “of course he did. If he hand’t, there never would have been any sacrifice involved.”
when Jesus cried out on the cross, it was showing us that even the living Son of God had to contend with feelings that all of us will encounter. Jesus always taught by obedience and example – this example, though distressing, shows us that any human being will encounter times of doubt and discouragement and feelings of abandonment, even after they’re saved But we all know that God did not forsake Jesus – Jesus was just showing us that there will be those times when we feel like that.
Aaron Beauchamp
28 Jul 08 at 9:45 am
This has always been one of those curious verses to me. As you said in your Heartlight article, we have heard many preach of Jesus being separated/abandoned by God on the cross. I wonder if the fact that Jesus quote from Psalms 22 was to let those who were crucifying him know that even though they were killing his body, God was with him and had not left him. Many of those there… teachers of the law, etc. would have recognized what he was making reference to. They would have also realized what he was telling them by quoting this Psalms, because of the fact that they memorized so much of the ‘old testament’. Praise God that Jesus did have feelings, just like us. Praise God that he was with Jesus through it all, and it with us also, through it all.
Mark Abercrombie
28 Jul 08 at 10:55 am
John 16:32 JESUS says, the hour has come when you will scattered, each to his own home, yet I AM NOT ALONE BECAUSE THE FATHER IS WITH ME.
Dorthey Duckett
28 Jul 08 at 12:29 pm
Some times it may feel like God has forsaken us as my neighbor who has a grown Daughter and Son
said today she does not know why each one has a problem as she said they are both good people, she did every thing to raise they in faith .One is not real well the other his girl friend broke up with him plus a good job is hard to find. They are both in their 30\’s
We do not know why this is only god knows .We need to pray for them. I know God will take care of them in his own way and time.
Betty R Aikens
28 Jul 08 at 5:03 pm
This has really encouraged me beyond words. I was recently diagnosed with celiac disease and gastritis. I went through a period of cleansing my body and ridding myself of the toxins inside. Just recently God confirmed in my heart that He has healed me COMPLETELY from my disease and sickness!! I know that I am healed because of His sacrifice on the cross. I am covered in His blood of forgiveness and healing. Last night I was experiencing an attack from the enemy on my body. He was lying to me and telling me I wasn’t healed. But I know better than to believe his schemes, lies and snares. I REFUSE to accept ANY sickness in my body because Jesus Christ dwells inside of me. Where Jesus Christ dwells, no sickness can live. This devotional confirmed in me all the more that no matter how I feel, I am NEVER alone in any suffering and because of the weight of sin that Jesus bore on my behalf, I can walk in freedom, knowing that “by His stripes” I am HEALED in JESUS’ NAME!!
April
29 Jul 08 at 8:43 am
How about Hebrews 13:5? I\’m sure that verse and all of the precious Scripture verses were for Jesus,too, while He walked the earth. This became very clear to me the other day when I went into surgery. The nurse had just put in the iv and the whole building rolled from side to side. We were on the 2nd floor, so we really felt it. Everyone was freaking out, but I just start smiling because I knew it was my LORD reassuring me that He was there with me through surgery!! God will show you His Prescence in the most everyday things, if we can only open our Holy Spirit eyes!! Praise God
Donna Eiler
1 Aug 08 at 5:07 pm
look at john 8:28. CHRIST was quoteing not complaning. the PHARISEES knew the books of MOSES, the PROPHETS and the PSALMS by heart. by quoting psalm 22:1 to them they would know who they had lifted up. take note of john 8:29. PRAISE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. MY LORD AND MY GOD.
george maggard
1 Mar 10 at 1:45 pm