“My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”
Jesus
               
Those are probably the most powerful words spoken by Jesus from the cross. They are also some of the words we might be able to most relate to. I know Job felt it, David felt it, and I know there are times I have felt it – abandoned or forsaken by God. But, how can that be? How can we feel that way when Jesus came to die on the cross for us? It just shouldn’t be!

We typically feel that way when we experience or witness innocent suffering, when we or someone we know is the victim. It is in those painful moments we want to know why. Why did God allow that happen? Even if He didn’t cause it, He certainly could have stopped it? It is that inaction that often leaves us saying the same thing Jesus said – why have you forsaken me?

I can understand our anger and frustration over the pain we often suffer as an innocent human, but to hear Jesus express those words is mind blowing to me. Then I realize Jesus, while divine, was also human. He had experienced the comforting presence of angels and the encouraging moments with His Father. He knew, better than we do, what His Father is capable of. Yet, His Father didn’t act. The Father didn’t spare Him the pain or the death of the cross. In that very hard reality we don’t have answers for our suffering but we have a God who suffers with us, who has joined us in our “victimization.” God isn’t watching from a distance, He is with us and angry right along with us. He too says, this isn’t how it is supposed to be!

What we have to remember is the while the Cross is where we see the innocent One suffer and die while the Father doesn’t stop it, it is also the place where God the Father is making it right. It is a place for us to leave our anger and frustration, a place for us to let our pain die, and the place where we can see God is with us. Then when we are ready to let go and move with Jesus to the resurrection we can find new life and a new future.

So, are you feeling like Jesus – forsaken and abandoned by God? Let’s God know about it. He can take our complaints. He will listen to our laments. But, don’t get mad and walk away, realize that He is with you in it. He is at working making all things new, making all things right. He did it with Jesus and He will do it with us. Hope is alive.
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Trusting in Jesus,
Pastor Matt

Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home. 
John 19:25-27
 
When I was a freshman in high school I was back stage at an event just hanging out, one of the only freshmen there. I watched as an upperclassman started to harass another boy who was just standing there reading a book. He knocked the book out of his hands and continued to taunt him. The boy never said a word and then suddenly got punched in the face for no reason. His response was to just pick up his book. It was terrible. I know there are many today who feel like life has been just like that – a punch in the face for no reason.

Many have experienced a tremendous amount of pain and trauma in life, not because of anything they have done, but because of what has been done to them. There are a lot of victims in our world. A lot of people who have been sinned-against. I want you to know – God sees you and knows you. I also want you to know you don't have to stay the victim!

We often stand at the foot of the cross of Jesus and shout, “Jesus, save me, the sinner!” But, we forget that right next to us is Mary who is shouting, “Jesus, save yourself and me – the victims!” You see the cross of Jesus isn’t just about the sinner but also about the sinned-against. It is there the victim (Jesus who was innocent Himself) dies. It is there Jesus makes sure the victim (Mary) is cared for. It is also there Jesus forgives the one killing Him.

Too many of us stay at the cross though – we stay the victim. We let that define us and dictate our life and our decisions. But, Mary doesn't stay the victim and neither does Jesus. Because a few days later we have the resurrection. The victim has become the victory. The one who died has become the survivor!

The cross is where Jesus entered into our suffering and we entered into His. The cross is where we unite with Him in death and the tomb is where we unite with Him in resurrection. The cross is a place for victims and the resurrection the hope of victory. “This is the hope of the gospel. There is hope beyond victimization, and the woundedness that it causes. There is real hope of genuine healing. And in this, the saving message of the cross becomes just as powerful for the sinned-against as it is for the sinner. New birth is offered to all. The resurrection does not undo the death of Jesus, just as it does not undo spiritual, psychological, and emotional “deaths” of the sinned-against. But the resurrection does offer new life and redemption as the declarative Word over sin, pain, violence, and abuse.” (The Backside Of The Cross – Diane Leclerc and Brent Peterson)
 
I pray you find hope and healing from the pain caused by others in your life and that you realize Jesus died and rose again for the sinner as well as the sinned-against.
 
In Christ,
Pastor Matt