Issue 1574 – Seven Sayings – Part 8 – October 15, 2024
We move on to the fourth of the seven sayings, the “Word of Anguish.” We read Christ’s agony-filled words…
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?” Matthew 27:46
These stunning words are of huge importance. The crucifixion of Jesus was arguably the most crucial event in human history. It was both the greatest injustice ever carried out and the greatest act of mercy ever shown. In one way, it is the most innocent suffering and the most vile triumphing. In another, we know it is a total victory for Jesus as his suffering in our stead frees his people forever.
The untimely (or so it seems) death of the Righteous One is nothing new. While Jesus is the only fully righteous one, the Bible recounts the murder of some of His servants. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees.
Therefore also the Wisdom of God said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and persecute,’ so that the blood of all the prophets, shed from the foundation of the world, may be charged against this generation, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, it will be required of this generation. Luke 11:49-51
Yet, Jesus was no ordinary man. He was fully man and fully God. He is the one of whom the Father said, “This is my son, listen to Him” and “This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased.”
In the death of Jesus, we see the evil of sin. What could be more depraved than the abuse and killing of the innocent? What an offense it had to be God when they killed His messenger, His Son. There is no depravity so low that the human heart cannot stoop to it and indulge it, sometimes even in the name of “religion.”
To quote the words attributed (likely wrongly) to the martyr John Bradford, “There but for the grace of God go I.”
Perhaps we did not kill and abuse the lamb of God ourselves, but our own sin is no less evil in the eyes of God. People speak of evil and suffering in the world, and there is plenty. Yet, it is held in check by the presence of the Holy Spirit. If God were to remove His Spirit and allow our sin-filled natures to run their full course, it would be literal hell on earth.
In Jesus’s death, we also see God’s absolute holiness and perfect wrath. Sin must be punished. A holy God cannot turn His back on sin and “let it slide.” A holy God cannot wink and nudge about our wickedness. Good must triumph, and evil must be punished. The fruit of the tree must be harvested.
Some in the crowd must have wondered at Jesus’ question as well. There were some followers in the crowd. The man they had followed, expecting Him to be crowned king, believing Him to be the Messiah promised of old, was dying a humiliating death before their eyes.
How could God turn His back on the chosen one? Were they so wrong about Jesus being Him? They had seen the miracles and heard the teaching. Two of the disciples had even seen the transfigured Christ, yet here, He was humiliated, abused, and dying. They must have questioned it all.
Jesus would not, indeed could not, because of who He was, avoid death on the cross. Jesus laid His life; no one took it. In the same way, the Father had to punish the sin.
It was a terrible injustice, yet ironically, it was also an incredible act of obedience and mercy. Tomorrow, we will delve more deeply into Jesus’ anguished words.
Be blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.
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