A Lenten Devotion for Friday, April 4
- ontrakk
- 2 days ago
- 1 min read
Matthew 27:46
About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).
Reading a bit of commentary about this verse was helpful this morning. I have always (especially in childhood) been a bit bothered by the fact that Jesus spoke these words. It felt like doubting, or like abandonment, or some sort of reversal on Jesus’ part. But recently a friend suggested the concept of sin weighing heavily on Jesus at the moment of His death, temporarily separating him from God. I had never thought of that. I had always felt that Jesus’ words came from his human self, in pain and despair, suffering mortal death. But actually, both could be true at the same time.
Holy Lord, we can’t know every detail, but I thank you for giving me this new insight, through my friend, and through this study each morning. You let me understand what I need to understand, and I am thankful to learn something new. Amen
Becky, transforming
Matthew 27:46
This scripture is very difficult to get through, after all the suffering that Jesus endured, while He is in His last moments feels forsaken. This is profoundly sad to me. As Becky and Beverly have pointed out, this is a time He is separated from God. He is weighed down by our sins, so much, the sins committed and the sins that will be committed. What great fortune it is that God, His Father is waiting for Him to be in paradise to take His place as our Savior.
Heavenly Father, thank you for your Son, Jesus, our Lord, our Savior who suffered for undeserving sinners like me. Amen
Friday, April 4th, 2025 ( 27th day of Lent)
Matthew 27:46
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?”
Jesus had to live as a man with all the limitations of a man, otherwise he would not have been able to act on our behalf. When Christ said “My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me”, he was fulfilling the prophecy in the Word of God (Psalm 22), (this came from commentary)indicating the Father separated himself from Jesus in that moment, as he is bearing the punishment for the sins of all His people. Jesus was both man an…
Matthew 27:46
Jesus, in His final human agony cries out to God and commends His spirit into the hands of the Father. At this, the sky darkens and Lucado describes the gathered crowd as becoming quiet (except for one snarky Pharisee). What must the crowd have felt, especially after a centurion, of all people, declares the man who just died before them was a righteous man? Was there a sense of shame in being part of the spectacle? Did those who mocked, spit and hurl insults suddenly perceive the stench of their vileness? More importantly, how many who did not believe before that moment went home believing? God’s grace works through even the most horrific of circumstances.
Prayer - Jesus,…