Mark 16:33-34 Now when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”Have you heard that Jesus was forsaken by God because He carried our sin? That since God is holy it was necessary to turn away at Jesus Christ's greatest hour of need? Me too. But I don't see that in scripture. It is an inference. Perhaps the preachers are correct. But perhaps not.
I wonder if this is not, at least in part, about the Lord's identification with us. Could it be that Jesus, in his humanity, could not feel God's presence? That he had doubts? Is there any one of us, no matter how saintly, who has not, at some dark hour of the soul, felt forsaken by God?
Even this, Jesus understands. He is our High Priest--one unlike any other. Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift!
From Hebrews 4:
Therefore since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens—Jesus the Son of God—let us hold fast to the confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tested in every way as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at the proper time.
Precious Jesus,
I am overwhelmed with the thought that you love me enough to identify with me even in my weakness! What glory! What love! What sacrifice! Thank you.
Amen
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