“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

In yesterday’s blog entry I prayed thanking God for being the God of every moment of our
lives.  A follower of the blog commented on the truth that “He is in every moment” and how hard it is to actually realize that truth in our daily lives. Her comment caused me to think into this astounding truth again.  My reply to her comment follows.

“In the quiet of this morning I readily know that He is the God of every moment. In the moments of pain or loss or depression it can be harder to grasp this truth. I believe that proving to us that God is in time – even our hardest time – is part of why Jesus came. We get to see Him live within time firmly connected to and experiencing relationship with the Father at every moment. With one exception – on the cross when Jesus and the Father conspired to be out of relationship so that Jesus could bear the sin of all mankind for all time. Connection was lost – moments of time existed when God wasn’t there for His Son — all so that I would never have to experience that extreme loneliness. Because of the gift of freedom of choice I can choose to be disconnected from God – I can enter into sin – but God will never disconnect from me. His face and His grace are always turned toward me! Wow!”

The word translated ‘forsaken’ in Jesus’ heartfelt cry of agony means ‘to leave behind in some place; to desert.’ In the depths of my being I sense the cry of His heart. He came to this world – to the place of God in frail flesh – trusting the Father, walking with Father God in continual communication. Jesus was in some tough places before this, places of  uncertainty and pain, but always connected to Father God.  And now, on the cross, by
His own submission held in frail flesh nailed to splintered wood and somehow mystically becoming sin for us, He is left behind in this god-forsaken place to face death, even death on a cross, alone. So completely alone.

I’ve felt a measure of that at times. The sure knowledge that I’ve come to a place I would never choose to come and done so while doing everything I know how to do to follow
the Lord.  Why would You bring me here? And once You do bring me here, why do you disappear? Once again in the midst of these dark nights of the soul, Jesus is with us. Jesus knows. Jesus has been there. And even when our overwhelming emotions or total exhaustion or complete depression become an impediment to sensing His presence, this you can depend upon — HE IS WITH US!  “Lord Jesus, so often my heart and my flesh
fail. It is as if I become sin, flailing about in the pain that becomes my dwelling place. What a comfort to know that You have been here. You know. You understand. And You have persevered through to a place of joy and salvation for me! Lord I receive that which You have done for me and I chose to live in the place beyond the cross. Thank You that you never leave me or forsake me. Thank You that You are with me always to the very end of the age.”

“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8

“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20