With Us // God Forsaking God
Life hasn’t exactly turned out like I would have expected it to. But in all the grief and loss I have experienced the last few years, there is one truth about God’s character that seems to jump off the pages of the Bible repeatedly to me, without me even trying to find it – God’s nearness. From Genesis to Revelation, the theme of God being with his people is woven throughout. This aspect of God’s character has given me comfort, changed my perspective on my circumstances, and drawn me to him in ways I have never imagined. Because I can’t help but find these nuggets of “God with us” all throughout His Word, I thought I’d share some of those with you, here, in the form of short, regular devotionals. Start off your week with the assurance that God is with you – and see how that changes things, no matter what you’re going through or where you are in life. Ask God, “Meet me here” – after all, that’s the very thing he’s asking you.
Matthew 27:32-55
As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. They compelled this man to carry his cross. 33 And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), 34 they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. 35 And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots. 36 Then they sat down and kept watch over him there. 37 And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” 38 Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left. 39 And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads 40 and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” 41 So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, 42 “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way.
45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”47 And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.” 48 And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. 49 But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” 50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.
51 And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, 53 and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many.54 When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”
55 There were also manywomen there, looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus fromGalilee, ministering to him, 56 among whomwere Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph and themother of the sons of Zebedee.
Context
This is thestory of Jesus’ death, after living a life that we should have lived, he diesthe death that we deserved – and yet, did it all without sin. Jesus, giving up his last breath, quotesPsalm 22 to the Lord as he cries out in agony. This passage is hard to read, but it’s beautiful. Thisis His love for us.
Questions to Consider
- Theword forsake means: abandon (someoneor something). Its antonyms include:staying with, or returning to. Jesus inverse 46 says to God, “Why have you forsaken me?” What is he really asking God? What ishappening here? Read Romans 6:23 and 2 Corinthians 5:21 for more context.
- ReadJohn 3:16 – a passage explaining why Jesus had to die. How does knowing that God chose to forsakeJesus because He loves you impact youtoday?
- ReadRomans 8:31-39. God has made a promisefor eternity that now nothing can separate us – there is nothing that will makeGod forsake us – because of Jesus. Whathope does this give you in your current circumstances, and for your future?
God,you chose to forsake your Son on the cross so that you could fulfill yourpromise that you would never forsake us. This is unfathomable when weknow the depths of our sin and the perfection of your relationship with Christ.And yet, he chose to willingly be separated from you, and take on the sin andguilt and shame of all the world, so that we might be together with you, as wasalways intended. The One who created usis the One who saves us. We praise you,and we thank you. We do not deserve it,and yet, you chose to do it anyway. Amenand Amen.
Find all of the devotionals, including the introductory explanation post, here.