On the cross Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “My God, my God why have you forsaken me?” Jesus was fully human and fully divine. In His humanity, He experienced real physical pain, emotional distress, and the genuine feeling of being abandoned in His darkest hour. This cry demonstrated His full solidarity with human suffering and despair. Some of us may be going through unbearable pain of sickness or emotional distress. No one may fully understand what we are going through; but Jesus does because He also went through such an ordeal.

Jesus experienced the penalty for our sin—estrangement from God—which was a pain far worse than the physical crucifixion itself. Betrayal and disloyalty of loved ones is painful; but it is no comparison to God’s abandonment. Humankind would do well to fear it more than anything.

Jesus went to the depth of suffering and agony but trusted that He would end in victory through His resurrection (cf. Psalm 22:24). We may go through suffering and agony on earth but it will not be forever if we believe in the finished work of Christ on the cross (cf. John 19:30). We are delivered from eternal damnation when we put our trust in Him.
Application: Father, thank you for teaching me what to fear most—separation from You. Amen.
One Word: Christ was forsaken that I may be saved