"Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?" Matthew 27: 46 Mark 15:34 Psalm 22: 1
As I sit here on Good Friday, recovering from a very painful tooth extraction and gum surgery, thankfully I have been provided with enough medications to advance the healing process and reduce my distress to manageable levels. All of us have been afflicted at one time or another with pain and suffering while wondering if our suffering will ever end. We can become distraught, anxious, nauseous to the point of vomiting, dizzy and any other descriptive indicating we feel miserable. When I was a child my Mom used to tell me when I was sick or had to get a shot that it would be nothing compared to what Jesus suffered when He was crucified. Knowing that fact didn't take the anguish away, however it did help. By comparison on a suffering basis - No Contest! To this day, I always carry her reminder with me when faced with challenges.
Over the years around Easter, I have heard many well intentioned, but misinformed speakers present a sermon based on Jesus words while on the cross, supposedly lamenting in Aramaic > why His God had forsaken Him. At first glance, it appears to be a moment of weakness; Jesus questioning where God went, but God didn't go anywhere and Jesus knew that fact to be true. He WAS/IS God in the flesh. The great "I AM", the Alpha & Omega, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords! To underscore this point > He was being crucified for claiming to be God > Charged and convicted of blasphemy.
Unwilling to recant His claims, just before He takes His last breath, he doesn't ask a question, but quotes the opening line of scripture from Psalm 22 which mirrors what is currently taking place on Calvary. The depiction of a crucifixion including direct quotes and descriptions matching exactly what is happening in specific detail. I would encourage you to take a moment and read Psalm 22 in it's entirety before proceeding to have a fuller impact. I am going to highlight a few things for us as well to bring everything into a more powerful insight with references from Psalm 22 to Gospel passages within Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.
"All who see Me mock Me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads: He trusts in the Lord; let the Lord rescue Him. Let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him." Psalm 22: 7 - 8
"Those who passed by hurled insults at Him, shaking their heads and saying, "You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! Come down from the cross, if You are the Son of God!" In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked Him. "He saved others, but He can't save Himself! He's the king of Israel! Let Him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in Him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue Him now if He wants Him, for He said 'I AM the Son of God.' " Matthew 27: 39 - 43 Mark 15: 29 - 32 Luke 23: 35
"Dogs have surrounded Me; a band of evil men has encircled Me, they have pierced My hands and My feet. I can count all My bones; people stare and gloat over Me. They divide My garments among them and cast lots for my clothing." Psalm 22: 16 - 18
"When they had crucified Him, they divided up His clothes by casting lots."
Matthew 27: 35 Mark 15: 24 Luke 23: 34 John 19: 23 - 24
Depictions of a Crucifixion
"I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted away within Me. My strength is dried up like potsherd (a broken vessel), and My tongue sticks to the roof of My mouth; you lay me in the dust of death. Dogs have surrounded Me; a band of evil men has encircled Me, they have pierced My hands and My feet. I can count all My bones; people stare and gloat over me." Psalm 22:14 - 17
The most quoted Psalm in the Old Testament is the 23rd Psalm which is often a text of comfort when someone is remembered during their Funeral or Memorial Service. I'm sure you are familiar with the opening, "The Lord is my shepherd,..." which wouldn't exist if the 22nd Psalm wasn't fulfilled by Jesus Christ. This is a great example of "CROSS TRAINING" which I wrote about recently. Things can have a deeper meaning if you get below the surface. So if you hear anyone, regardless of credential, position, standing or influence > preaching, teaching or pontificating that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was questioning His identity and forsaking His faith during a moment of crucifixion, with all confidence you can say "FORSAKEN - NOT!" Suggest they read the 22nd Psalm.
"Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage > with great patience and careful instruction." 2Timothy 4: 2
Dallas Holm Rise Again YouTube with Lyrics
"People Don't Know What They Don't Know."
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