This is the fourth statement Jesus screamed from the cross. Some standing there that day thought Jesus was calling Elijah, a pivotal figure in Israel’s history.

 

I have heard it preached that sin separated God the Father and God the Son. And sin is the only thing that could ever make God turn away from Jesus. But after a life marked by perfect obedience, I was always challenged by the thought that God would “abandon” Him at His darkest hour. It never made sense to me.

 

Here is the thing though. God sees sin every day: all the horrors perpetrated against humanity – day in day out. Why would God turn away from a beloved Son in the most excruciatingly painful moment of his earthly life? Even more vexing is the fact that they are ONE.

 

I asked myself whether sin could destroy the unity of the Godhead even for just three days? And if that were the case, could God turn his face from us and our sin too while we are alive? Jesus was bearing our sin but had not yet died when he made his statement about being forsaken.   

 

The Bible teaches that God knows exactly what goes on in the realms of death and judgment. And the devil, who is deep in the sin stuff, appears in Scripture as an accuser in God’s throne room. My mind has always been well boggled by this.

 

Then I discovered that Jesus was quoting Scripture in Aramaic – Psalm 22:1 to be exact and that various verses in the chapter specifically described his situation that day. In the end, the "Word of God", (Revelation 19:13, also written about in 1 John 1:1), was screaming the Word of God to us.

 

He could relate to us when we feel forsaken. Jesus had earlier asked Father God to forgive us humans.(Luke 23:34) Then he said, “It is finished” (John 19:30) and then “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” (Luke 23:46)

 

Whatever may have happened in the spiritual realm – forsaken or not – it certainly was finished perfectly for our redemption as sinners. I am so grateful for what Jesus did that day on the cross. You?

 

Prayer: Father, please forgive me when I am in sin that causes separation. Jesus was the One who died so that we can come to you freely in prayer. We praise you, Lord. Amen.