My God, My God…
My God, My God, why have you forsaken me
(PS 22:1, MT 27:46 & MK 15:34)
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“Eli, eli, lema sabachthani?” or My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” These are the first words of Psalm 22, and Jesus quotes them in his final breaths on the cross.
Why? I can think of perhaps two reasons for Jesus to quote this Psalm.
JESUS UNDERSTANDS
First, he is honest. He feels totally alone. God the Father seems totally silent. And his community has run away, while the people surrounding him hurl threats and taunts. Jesus is alone and well-known words of Psalm 22 expresses it. He is honest about all his feelings…even feeling abandoned.
Perhaps we know this feeling:
I remember driving my dad to the hospital afraid to hear what seemed like a “death sentence” from his oncologist. In fact, he died 6 weeks later. In the shock of loss and fear, we can feel alone.
If you’ve ever heard the words, “your position has been eliminated,” perhaps you felt alone.
There are times when suffering hits us – either suddenly or over a long, painful period – and somehow the ever-present God seems absent. Jesus had this experience. Jesus “gets” the worst emotional and physical pain you and I experience. In some way, knowing Jesus has felt this is already a reassurance that I’m not alone… Jesus is with me in the pain.
TRIUMPH IS ON THE HORIZON
A second reason Psalm 22 was an awesome ting to quote… was because of the way this Psalm ends. It finishes with hope in God’s faithfulness. Jesus presents us with his honest feelings on the cross, even as he keeps an eye on God’s promise to be faithful.
Even in the pits of despair, Jesus understands the feelings you have…and wants you to know, Easter is coming! NOTHING – not death, nor sickness, or disaster, or hate – NOTHING can separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus.
I’m going to invite you right now to open your bulletin and write something down. Somewhere in the margins, near the 4th and 5th Word, please write: “I know nothing can separate me from God, not even _____.” Please take a moment and fill in the blank…for you.
Not only is God with you, and completely understands your deepest pain…but the thing that makes Good Friday good is that Jesus overcomes even sin and death for you. You are not alone, and you are beloved and forgiven…even in your times of pain, doubt, and feeling alone.
Beyond this deeply personal truth for each one of us. The cross of Jesus also exposes the systems that crucify the innocent...two thousand years ago, and still today. Today we are not just remembering the agony of Jesus in history. Jesus still suffers in solidarity with every person being thrust into the depths of despair. And just like the religious leaders who sent Jesus to the cross, today we hear religious language being used to justify violence and war.
We must reclaim Good Friday, as the truth-telling moment. As millions of people cry out today, “My God, My God! Why have you forsaken me!” It is our role, as modern-day disciples, to expose death-dealing powers for what they are: people still crucifying Christ. We empathize with all who suffer and like Jesus, we know the story does not end here. Resurrection is coming. And even now, we are called to live and proclaim the power, hope, and promise of Easter. Amen.
Pastor Doug Cox