"Why Have You Forsaken Me?"

Published 4/10/20

Read Mark 15:33-34

"And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, 'Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?' which means, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?' "

Reflect

In what ways do you want Jesus to heal you? Do you believe that He can do it? (Explain.) What kinds of "internal junk" is weighing you down? (Be honest.) What steps can you take right now to grow closer to Jesus?

Onlookers witnessed even more than the fulfillment of prophecy during those hours. Nature itself began to cry out and writhe at what humanity was doing to its Creator. And the captain was right. The barrier between the created and the Creator was destroyed--torn in two. Jesus' payment on the cross now made it possible for anybody to be pure enough to stand in God's presence.

God had paid for the world's disobedience. The sacrifice, the substitution for our punishment, was complete. We were freed from the deadly menace that taunted Adam and Eve and every human since. Satan had lost. The war with sin was over! Now it was simply up to each man, woman, and child to step forward and claim the victory that had already been won. Now it is time to fight back.

Pray

Lord Jesus, God, in the Bible You've promised me a way of escape from temptation so I can stand up under it. Please show me that way right now. Give me clear steps that I can begin taking that will help me break free from fear, worry ... and the many struggles I face. Amen