Forgiving God

“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