At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” Some of the bystanders misunderstood and thought he was calling for the prophet Elijah. One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, holding it up to him on a reed stick so he could drink. But the rest said, “Wait! Let’s see whether Elijah comes to save him.” Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit. At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead. They left the cemetery after Jesus’ resurrection, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people. [Matthew 27.45-53]
I do not think for a moment that Jesus did not know why God had forsaken Him. I mean, think about it, all Jesus' ministry years, if He did nothing, He announced that He came to save the world.
God's established pattern of asking questions in the Bible was not an indicator that God was lacking knowledge! God never asked a question that He was not leading the person asked the question to a conclusion! As Jesus was here from the Cross communicating with His Father, this pattern of using a question to reveal an answer was no different. Jesus, as the Son of God - God in the flesh - the Living Word dwelling with man - was revealing an answer with His question!
“My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” was revealing the answer that history itself was being divided, signified by the veil in the Temple being torn, the earthquake, tombs opening, and the resurrection of dead people. Jesus was reminding God, "What appears to be defeat is, in fact, the greatest victory of eternity - the salvation of man and his return to fellowship directly with God (previously lost in the Garden of Eden)!" Jesus was saying, "I have done it!" Jesus said, "It is finished!"
The notion that Jesus questioned God in an emotional out-of-control state is simply absurd. Jesus' resolve His whole life was for that very moment! Jesus was NEVER unclear about His purpose on earth.
Jesus' question to God, although answered circumstantially by the veil being torn, the earthquake, and the dead rising, could just as easily have been verbally answered by God, "I abandoned You as we planned so that You might accomplish salvation for the world as You have so capably accomplished! Well done, my Son, well done!"
The glory taking place in heaven as Jesus died manifested on earth in the veil, the earthquake, and the dead rising! Glory to God in the highest!
On a side note... Imagine peering into the world of the spirit as Jesus cried out His question on the Cross. Imagine Satan pompously looking on - gloating in his work - only to realize what Jesus' question really meant to him (Satan) and his (fallen) kingdom. Imagine that realization as the veil tore, the ground shook, and the graves opened what a pivotal mistake Satan had made! Oh Glory to God!
Father, thank You for Your Word, Your Son, and Your plan.
No comments:
Post a Comment