“And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46).
This Easter week we’ll look at Christ’s last words from the cross. They won’t be in any specific order, but, I hope you will take time to read and reflect on the three days that changed the world. When you think of the many emotions found as we read the account of His Crucifixion, I think we can easily see how we can tie this in with the past couple months of Bible study. However, everything Christ faced before and during the Crucifixion, goes beyond anything we will ever face. I gleaned much insight from some articles I read, and as I prepared to write this week’s devotions, I couldn’t help but feel a stronger faith in the One who was willing to suffer all things so I could become victorious over things like discouragement, doubt, and fear.
No matter what a person has to face, nothing is worse than doing so alone. Christ had suffered verbal and physical abuse long before the Cross. No one completely understood His mission on earth except His Father. As the sins of the whole world were being placed upon Christ, His Father had to look away. What a terrible feeling of abandonment. I can’t begin to imagine the only time He would have to face the pain of that separation. It had to add to the agony of being nailed to a cruel cross. At a time when Jesus needed His Father, as God in the flesh, His Father could not look at His Son dying for our sins—even when He cried out, why?
Sue Winchester
Missouri
PRAY TOGETHER: Ask God to give Christians in Latin America opportunities to give clear witness of the gospel during this time of year when many participate in Catholic rituals.
