If you read my last post, I wrote about the agony of alone-ness Jesus experienced on the cross. From the concern for His mother-whose life she placed with John-to His own guttural scream at His Father’s “absence,” Matthew includes the incident and phrase which none of the others include.
I realize there are those who say Jesus never experienced separation on the cross. He would never be abandoned. But the way I read John’s account leaves little doubt in my mind.
We expect Him to cry out of pain. And He did. What He did not do was get even with His crucifiers and abusers. “He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in His mouth.” I Peter 3:21
“He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet opened not His mouth; like a lamb that is led to slaughter…so He opened not His mouth.” Isaiah 53:7
The one time He did was a guttural scream directed at His Father. Interesting fact (which you may already know): three times He spoke to His Father. “Father, forgive them.” “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” Sandwiched in between is the one: “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” Notice the word change from Father to God? For the first time He experienced the lack of intimacy He never had before.
What a difference a word makes! “Father.” “God.” I’ve known a lack of intimacy with God. There have been times “Father”-Abba- was on my lips. But so has “God”- a cry of desperation and loneliness.
I’m glad my relationship is not based on my feelings, but on the truth of Scripture. Two cries. Two different meanings. For Jesus. For me. For you.
How was that alone-ness resolved for you? What steps did you take to alleviate that pain?
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