Why am I going through this? Why is God putting me through this? I sometimes feel as though God has turned his back on me.
These are thoughts we have all had as we go through the depths of issues or problems confronting us. These trials and tests can be very difficult. Maybe the loss of a job unexpectedly. Maybe the loss of a loved one. All very difficult.
After trumped up charges, a bogus "trial," a beating that would take any man's life, Christ is crucified. As Christ is on the cross, Matthew records that he "cried out in a loud voice, saying, 'Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?' that is, 'My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?'" (Matthew 27) Christ has the clarity of mind while on the cross to quote David from Psalm 22 which David starts by saying, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?"
David's lament is given in a state of isolation and loneliness as he faces opposition. Christ's lament is as he faces a certain death while hanging on a cross, and a death caused by nothing he did. Christ's lament is because of us - our sins, our evil, our inability to follow God. Christ sacrifices himself and experiences this vast expanse between him and his Father (our Father) because of us.
This sacrifice Christ makes is on our behalf and will be the answer to David's prayer in the psalm when he asks, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. RESTORE unto me, the joy of your salvation and uphold me with a willing spirit." (51)
Hope Men's Ministry
No comments:
Post a Comment